Figurehead

As long as boats have been built, boat builders have adorned their bows with images and figures. The Egyptians had figures on the bows of their boats to bring luck and protection on their voyages. Viking dragons were meant to intimidate enemies and protect against evil forces. In the 17th century, warships were heavily decorated, and this ornamentation was part of the absolute monarchs' propaganda machinery. The most common type of figurehead was a crowned lion, a symbol of royal authority.

Although the figure found on the shore is weathered, there are still details that can help identify it further. There is a wide cross on the lion's crown, and also the suggestion of a lily, or fleur-de-lis. The only country that uses this crown is the United Kingdom and the figureheads in the Royal Navy. This crown design was made after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660. Therefore, the figure must have come from a warship belonging to the Royal navy. The size of the figure suggests that the ship must have been medium-sized, possibly with a crew of around 200 men, 20-30 cannons, and a length of 40 meters.

By comparing the figure from Svalbard with one from the Maritime Museum in Stockholm, it is even easier to see the similarity, even though the figure in Sweden is better preserved. The figure in Stockholm is dated to around 1740, and the one in Svalbard is from the same period based on art historical similarities.