Model of a Figurehead 1844 - 1845

This model of a figurehead was made by Rijkswerf Vlissingen out of wood, using subtractive techniques of carving and joinery. Notice how the individual components, like the supporting brackets and the cylindrical spar extending forward, are carefully fitted together. There's a real elegance in the way the timbers curve and flow, alluding to the grand scale and power of the warships they adorned. This model is a fascinating insight into the shipbuilding process. It shows how design ideas would have been tested and refined before being implemented on the full-sized vessel. Shipyards like Rijkswerf were important sites of innovation, blending craft skills with engineering expertise, all in the service of maritime power and trade. Looking at this piece, it's easy to imagine the hands that shaped it, the skill and knowledge passed down through generations of shipwrights. It reminds us that even objects seemingly driven by function and industry can hold deep cultural significance and material intelligence.