Billet Heads
1830 to mid-19th century
Medium/TechniqueWood
DimensionsOverall: 27 x 33 x 12.1 cm (10 5/8 x 13 x 4 3/4 in.)
Credit LineGift of John Templeman Coolidge
Accession number32.180
On View
Not on viewClassificationsSculpture
Collections
Billetheads, usually carved with scrolled, naturalistic leaf forms, sometimes ornamented the bow of a ship, in the place of a figurehead. They also served as decorative pedestals on which figureheads stood. No evidence remains, however, to suggest that these billetheads ever supported a figurehead.
ProvenanceLent by J. Templeman Coolidge / February 27, 1929
19th century
early 19th century
1875–80
1875–80
1875–80
1875–80
1875–80
1875–80
