It is believed that this figurehead comes from a French merchantman wrecked off the Cornish coast. The three-quarter-length female figure holds a posy, with a closed fan held across the body in her left hand. In terms of dress, the neckline, sleeve flounces and floral corsage reflect court fashions of the late 1750s. The tightly curled hairstyle, known as tête de mouton (literally ‘sheep’s head’), remained popular until the 1760s, being associated with Maria Josepha of Saxony, the devoted wife of Louis de France, the eldest son of King Louis XV. It is likely that this nineteenth-century merchant figurehead represents her.

The figurehead was for a very long time in possession of the Carew-Pole family in the outbuildings of Anthony House, Torpoint, when it was brought to the Museum's notice by Michael Trinick, area head of the National Trust. After its purchase by the Museum from Sir John Carew-Pole in 1974 it was restored as shown here by the late Kim Allen of Westerham, Kent.