The Ship's "Eyes" §

Carved figureheads decorated the prows of sailing ships through the 1880s. The roster of forms included men and women (famous and unknown), animals (birds, horses, boars, lions, swans, dolphins, seahorses), and gods and mythical beings (Neptune, mermaids, dragons). Early mariners believed figureheads were the vessel's eyes.
courtesy of State Street Trust Company, Boston, Massachusetts

More Information

Ocean Planet Exhibition Floorplan

gene carl feldman (gene@seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov) (301) 286-9428

Judith Gradwohl, Smithsonian Institution (Curator/Ocean Planet)