An Exceptional Early American 19th-Century Female Figurehead

This finely crafted small bust figurehead of a young woman dates to around 1830, as suggested by her Regency-style dress and hairstyle. She remains entirely original, including her polychrome painted surface. Her braided hair is coiled atop her head and secured with a comb, which has a minor loss at the tip. She wears an open-bodice dress with a white collar, finishing in folded, twisted fabric and decorative scrollwork.

Measuring 15.5 inches in height, she was likely intended for a small vessel. However, given her exceptional condition—showing no signs of weathering or evidence of having been mounted—it's possible she was never actually fitted to a ship.

Traditionally, figureheads were attached using drift pins driven through the carving and into the vessel's stem. Interestingly, the base of this piece was cut at an angle, causing her to lean backward. This may indicate the mounting pin was located below the cut, resulting in the unusual tilt. To correct this, a wedge has been added to the base, allowing her to be displayed at the proper angle.