Britannia (1719)

Scale: 1:24? A sketch of three views of the figurehead for HMS Britannia (1719), a First rate, 100-gun, three-decker. The drawings depict the starboard, head-on and port side views of the figurehead on the left of the plan, and the stern board, galleries and quarter piece sculptural decoration on the right.

The sketch of the starboard side of the figurehead shows Neptune holding up the central crown on his left hand while his right holds a trident. Above him is a cherub, or putto, blowing a trumpet. Below Neptune and in front of him is a hippocampus next to the central royal coat of arms. Below Neptune at the curve of the trail-board is a sea serpent.

The head-on view shows the royal coat of arms surmounted by a medieval helmet and the large central crown above. A ribbon with the monarch’s motto inscribed on it flows behind the helmet. The hippocampus is on the left and a sea-lion (lion poisson) on the right the coat of arms, turning the traditional coat of arms into a maritime representation. Two putti are blowing trumpets either side of the crown.

The portside sketch is similar to the starboard side, except Britannia replaces Neptune and the sea-lion is in profile, replacing the hippocampus.

The stern sketches show the bust of the monarch at the top with crossed cannon, spears and flag staffs behind. The rest of the taffrail is a mixture of characters down to the both quarter pieces which have large sculptures at each gallery. The upper counter has been decorated with abstract patterns.