'Spanish lady'

Unidentified full-length polychrome female figurehead, including both feet visible below the hem of the gown. The arms are cut off flush below the shoulders and it is not certain if they were originally complete. The figure wears a blue dress with red panels in the bodice, a gilded necklace and a curious cap on the back of the head. Her traditional local name is 'Spanish lady' because of her appearance, but there is in fact nothing specifically Spanish about the costume, which probably indicates a date in the early 1840s.

Object Details

ID: FHD0029
Collection: Figureheads
Type: Figurehead
Display location: Not on display
Date made: 19th century; ca 1840-44
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Valhalla Collection
Measurements: Overall: 1651 mm x 673 mm x 533 mm