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Figureheads Collection

Figureheads have long been a captivating sight, adorning the bows of majestic ships throughout history

Background imageFigureheads Collection: Ships figureheads, Scilly Isles

Ships figureheads, Scilly Isles

Background imageFigureheads Collection: Ship figureheads on the Scilly Isles - Victorian period

Ship figureheads on the Scilly Isles - Victorian period

Background imageFigureheads Collection: HMS 'Black Prince'(chromolitho)

HMS "Black Prince"(chromolitho)
2790862 HMS " Black Prince" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: HMS " Black Prince." Illustration for one of a set of cigarette cards)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: The 'Half Moon'(chromolitho)

The "Half Moon"(chromolitho)
2790852 The " Half Moon" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The " Half Moon." Illustration for one of a set of cigarette cards)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: The 'Terra Nova'(chromolitho)

The "Terra Nova"(chromolitho)
2790851 The " Terra Nova" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The " Terra Nova." Illustration for one of a set of cigarette cards)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: HMS 'Royal Albert'(chromolitho)

HMS "Royal Albert"(chromolitho)
2790844 HMS " Royal Albert" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: HMS " Royal Albert." Illustration for one of a set of cigarette cards)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: HMS 'Bellerophon'(chromolitho)

HMS "Bellerophon"(chromolitho)
2790843 HMS " Bellerophon" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: HMS " Bellerophon." Illustration for one of a set of cigarette cards)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: HMS 'Royal Sovereign'(chromolitho)

HMS "Royal Sovereign"(chromolitho)
2790859 HMS " Royal Sovereign" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: HMS " Royal Sovereign." Illustration for one of a set of cigarette)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: HMS 'Gibraltar'(chromolitho)

HMS "Gibraltar"(chromolitho)
2790858 HMS " Gibraltar" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: HMS " Gibraltar." Illustration for one of a set of cigarette cards)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: HMS 'Duke of Wellington'(chromolitho)

HMS "Duke of Wellington"(chromolitho)
2790846 HMS " Duke of Wellington" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: HMS 'Colossus'(chromolitho)

HMS "Colossus"(chromolitho)
2790840 HMS " Colossus" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: HMS " Colossus." Illustration for one of a set of cigarette cards)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: HMS 'Queen Charlotte'(chromolitho)

HMS "Queen Charlotte"(chromolitho)
2790839 HMS " Queen Charlotte" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: HMS " Queen Charlotte." Illustration for one of a set of cigarette)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: HMS 'St Vincent'(chromolitho)

HMS "St Vincent"(chromolitho)
2790845 HMS " St Vincent" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: HMS " St Vincent." Illustration for one of a set of cigarette cards)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: HMS 'Royal William'(chromolitho)

HMS "Royal William"(chromolitho)
2790842 HMS " Royal William" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: HMS " Royal William." Illustration for one of a set of cigarette)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: Figureheads of old fighting ships on a building in Grosvenor Road, Westminster (b / w photo)

Figureheads of old fighting ships on a building in Grosvenor Road, Westminster (b / w photo)
3637715 Figureheads of old fighting ships on a building in Grosvenor Road, Westminster (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Background imageFigureheads Collection: HMS 'Ajax'(chromolitho)

HMS "Ajax"(chromolitho)
2790857 HMS " Ajax" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: HMS " Ajax." Illustration for one of a set of cigarette cards on the subject)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: HMS 'Duke of Marlborough'(chromolitho)

HMS "Duke of Marlborough"(chromolitho)
2790856 HMS " Duke of Marlborough" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: Figureheads of Famous Warships (engraving)

Figureheads of Famous Warships (engraving)
5212832 Figureheads of Famous Warships (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Figureheads of Famous Warships)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: HMS 'Victory'(chromolitho)

HMS "Victory"(chromolitho)
2790854 HMS " Victory" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: HMS " Victory." Illustration for one of a set of cigarette cards)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: HMS 'Warrior'(chromolitho)

HMS "Warrior"(chromolitho)
2790853 HMS " Warrior" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: HMS " Warrior." Illustration for one of a set of cigarette cards)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: HMS 'Shannon'(chromolitho)

HMS "Shannon"(chromolitho)
2790855 HMS " Shannon" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: HMS " Shannon." Illustration for one of a set of cigarette cards)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: HMS 'Edinburgh'(chromolitho)

HMS "Edinburgh"(chromolitho)
2790849 HMS " Edinburgh" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: HMS " Edinburgh." Illustration for one of a set of cigarette cards)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: The 'Sybille'(chromolitho)

The "Sybille"(chromolitho)
2790847 The " Sybille" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The " Sybille." Illustration for one of a set of cigarette cards)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: The Queen of Time, Selfridges, London (b / w photo)

The Queen of Time, Selfridges, London (b / w photo)
3094433 The Queen of Time, Selfridges, London (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Queen of Time, Selfridges, London)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: HMS 'Calcutta'(chromolitho)

HMS "Calcutta"(chromolitho)
2790861 HMS " Calcutta" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: HMS " Calcutta." Illustration for one of a set of cigarette cards)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: HMS 'Formidable'(chromolitho)

HMS "Formidable"(chromolitho)
2790850 HMS " Formidable" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: HMS " Formidable." Illustration for one of a set of cigarette cards)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: HMS 'Leander'(chromolitho)

HMS "Leander"(chromolitho)
2790848 HMS " Leander" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: HMS " Leander." Illustration for one of a set of cigarette cards)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: HMS 'Seahorse'(chromolitho)

HMS "Seahorse"(chromolitho)
2790841 HMS " Seahorse" (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: HMS " Seahorse." Illustration for one of a set of cigarette cards)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: A Chapter on Figurehead Lore (engraving)

A Chapter on Figurehead Lore (engraving)
1047297 A Chapter on Figurehead Lore (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Chapter on Figurehead Lore)

Background imageFigureheads Collection: EyeUbiquitous_20109327

EyeUbiquitous_20109327
England, London, Display of figureheads in the new Cutty Sark exhibition space

Background imageFigureheads Collection: I Saw Three Ships, from Walter Cranes Painting Book, pub. 1889 (colour lithograph), 1889

I Saw Three Ships, from Walter Cranes Painting Book, pub. 1889 (colour lithograph), 1889

Background imageFigureheads Collection: Tresco - The Valhalla - Figureheads from Shipwrecks

Tresco - The Valhalla - Figureheads from Shipwrecks
Tresco, The Isles of Scilly - The unique Valhalla collection, situated within Tresco Abbey Garden, containing some 30 figureheads

Background imageFigureheads Collection: Men at coastal storage hut

Men at coastal storage hut
Men at a coastal storage hut with figureheads from ships on display. Date: circa 1930s

Background imageFigureheads Collection: Ship figurehead at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Ship figurehead at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe



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Figureheads have long been a captivating sight, adorning the bows of majestic ships throughout history. The Scilly Isles, with their rich maritime heritage, boast an array of ship figureheads that transport us back to the Victorian period. As we wander through England's Hampshire and Portsmouth, we are greeted by breathtaking views of these intricate sculptures against the backdrop of The Spinnaker Tower and Gunwharf Quays. One such figurehead that catches our eye is HMS "Princess Royal, " depicted in a stunning chromolitho print. Its regal presence commands attention as it stands proudly on the ship's bow. Moving along our journey, another remarkable piece captures our imagination - HMS "Black Prince. " This chromolitho artwork showcases its fierce countenance, symbolizing strength and power. The allure continues with "Half Moon" and "Terra Nova, " both adorned with intricately carved figures that tell stories of exploration and adventure. These magnificent creations serve as reminders of mankind's quest for discovery across uncharted waters. HMS "Royal Albert, " HMS "Bellerophon, " HMS "Royal Sovereign, " and HMS "Gibraltar" stand tall in their respective chromolitho representations. Each figurehead exudes a unique character - from stoic determination to unwavering loyalty - reflecting the values held dear by those who sailed aboard these vessels. These ship figureheads not only captivate us visually but also evoke a sense of wonderment about the lives lived at sea during different eras. They remind us of the bravery exhibited by sailors who faced treacherous conditions while navigating vast oceans. As we marvel at these exquisite works of art scattered across various locations, let us pay homage to those who once embarked on daring voyages under their watchful gaze. Figureheads truly embody the spirit of seafaring adventures and continue to fascinate generations with their timeless beauty.