A powerful new acquisition at the Australian National Maritime Museum, a ship's figurehead depicting a First Nations woman, is sparking a significant re-evaluation of how we understand traditional maritime artefacts.
The Museum has acquired the rare 19th Century figurehead thanks to support from the National Cultural Heritage Account and the Museum Foundation.
Daina Fletcher, Senior Curator said, 'It is a remarkable piece of colonial maritime decorative art. First and foremost, it is a catalyst for exploring connections between First Nations and settler communities, while it is also a window into the early colonial world where boats were critical lifelines serviced by a developing industry. The motifs the carver employed - the Christmas bells, and the emu and evidence of a kangaroo at the figurehead's base - speak of aspirations and identities at the time. The fact that we cannot confirm the figurehead's host vessel or the carver, raises tantalising research questions which enhance its power and historical significance as a depiction of a First Nations woman in the mid 19th century.'
Matt Poll, Indigenous Programs Manager said, 'It makes a profound statement. Figureheads were meant to be the protective spirit of a ship. Yet, this particular figurehead, created by the very settler society that was dispossessing and displacing First Nations people, depicts an individual from that same culture. This stark contrast forces us to look at these historical objects through multiple, sometimes clashing, perspectives.'
'Very few museums globally – in Europe, the Americas, or India – have figureheads that claim to depict colonised people as heroic figures within expatriate European maritime communities. Its presence in the Australian National Maritime Collection offers a unique opportunity to explore these complex historical narratives.'
Research to this date has not identified the exact vessel the figurehead was carved for, however the Museum team have identified a small number of mid-19th century colonial vessels as likely hosts, including the Taree, built in 1834 on the Manning River NSW, the Yarra Yarra, built in 1837 on the Williams River NSW, the Tasmanian schooner Truganina built in Hobart Town in 1839 and the Settler's Friend built in Ulmarra NSW in 1867.
While the provenance of the object is still uncertain, its condition and its depiction of a 19th century First Nations woman makes it incredibly rare and significant. The Museum will continue to investigate its origins.
The National Cultural Heritage Account is a grant program that assists Australian cultural organisations to acquire significant cultural heritage objects they may otherwise not be able to afford. Organisations can apply for funding at any time.
