A half-length polychrome bust figurehead of a Tribune from the Roman Republic, taken from the 31-gun Second Class screw frigate HMS Tribune (1853). The figurehead, shown in classical attire, is a stylised illustration of a tribune, directly reflecting the name of the ship. However, the moustache is likely to be anachronistic as Romans in the Republican period were generally clean shaven. He is wearing a blue toga with a red sash edged in white at one end. The scroll top of the stemhead is painted green and brown with a yellow flower in the centre.

The Tribune was an important figure in the Roman Republic. He was the official representative elected to protect the interests of the people (the ‘plebs’), usually against actions by the Senate.