Massachusetts

East India Marine Society

Great Hall at the Peabody Essex Museum

John M Poltrack

John M Poltrack

— 2 min read
East India Marine Society

There was something creepy about visiting the large hall at the Peabody Essex Museum and seeing ship figureheads floating out of the walls. The display of figureheads are located in the East India Marine Hall.

Ship figureheads at the East India Marine Society hall at the Peabody Essex Museum
Ship figureheads at the East India Marine Society hall at the Peabody Essex Museum
Ship Figurehead at the Peabody Essex Museum
Ship Figurehead at the Peabody Essex Museum
Ship figureheads at the East India Marine Society hall at the Peabody Essex Museum
Ship figureheads at the East India Marine Society hall at the Peabody Essex Museum

I was wondering what it would be like to wander into this hall at night with just a flashlight and see something like this:

Two-headed equestrian figurehead about 1750. Ther extant example of a double-headed form. It was carved for a British ship.
Two-headed equestrian figurehead about 1750. The only extant example of a double-headed form. It was carved for a British ship.
Model of the ship Seduisant, 1800-1825 created by an artist in a British prison
Model of the ship Seduisant, 1800-1825 created by an artist in a British prison from wood and ivory
Carved tusk and stand, about 1839. Carving depicts scenes from traditional Chinese stories.
Carved tusk and stand, about 1839. Carving depicts scenes from traditional Chinese stories.

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