Figureheads, the carved and painted bow ornaments of ships, were a striking form of decorative art in the age of the sailing ship. This book traces the complete history of these historical carvings and their themes and also examines the related carving of sterns and of sailor figures. Its filled with detailed black and white photos of figureheads and features informative sections on the first figureheads, naval figureheads, figureheads today, and many more. This is a well-written and comprehensive work and is sure to please anyone interested in figureheads as well as the art of carving in general.