The carving taking shape is not a figurehead, but a stern carving that would have been one of a pair, situated as quarter pieces. The figure represents the Greek Goddess ‘Fortuna’, daughter of Oceanus.
From her hand were delivered riches and poverty, pleasures and misfortunes, blessings and pains. She is often represented with a winged cupid at her feet, and dispensing bounteous fruits from her horn of plenty.
The figure is ‘loosely based’ on a Dutch stern ornament from the 1600s showing a strong influence from the great Dutch master Artus Quellin teacher to the famous ship’s carver Grinling Gibbons.
This piece is for sale at £9,000
