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Roerversiering van een zeemeermin

Rudder decoration in the shape of a mermaid

In the past, a ship was not just a ship. Wooden inland vessels were built and decorated with pride — and the stern was the place to show off. The rudder was conspicuously richly decorated, from elegant rudder heads to roaring rudder lions and even mermaids. Each skipper showed a little of his taste, status or superstition.

Wooden barges displayed their sterns. The decoration of the rudder at the stern also received considerable attention. There are many different types of rudder decorations: rudder heads, rudder clicks, or rudder lions. Mythology also featured as decoration, such as this mermaid.

“The rudder indicated not only the course, but also the character.”

From de Staffordshire dogs to de Casque brooch from West-Friesland. Discover the online collection of the Zuiderzeemuseum.

de Staffordshire dogs
de Casque brooch from West-Friesland