A figurehead is a wooden decoration found on the front of ships.

Cutty Sark has the largest collection of Merchant Navy figureheads in the world. This includes Nannie the witch, Cutty Sark’s figurehead, who is right at the top of the image below.

You can find out more about Nannie here.

You will need:

paper, scissors, wooden spoon, glue, coloured pencils, string

A spoon – wooden, steel or plastic (please ask your adults first)

Paper, fabric or felt (whatever colours you have)

Glue or tape

A pencil

Colouring pencils or felt tips

A pair of scissors

For decoration: feathers, pompoms, googly eyes, wool, string, etc. (optional)

Step 1

Look at some of the figureheads in the collection for some inspiration.

You can find more figure heads from our collection here.

An image for 'Step 1'

Step 2

Take a piece of paper (or fabric or felt) and draw out eyes, a crown, a helmet, flowers or clothing – whatever you like. You can colour things in if you would like to.

Cut out the shapes you have made (if you need some help, ask your adult).

An image for 'Step 2'

Step 3

Add your shapes to your spoon.

An image for 'Step 3'

Congratulations!

Well done on completing your figurehead. 

Don't forget you can share your finished figurehead with us on social media.