August 31, 2014

Figures and Figureheads

She seemed a little wooden.  ;-)

Looks like he's been there awhile!


Cute dinosaur!

I've seen a few cities doing these painted figures....Vancouver had bears in 2006 and Victoria had orca whales in 04 or 05.  Here, I've seen painted sperm whales.  Salem has figureheads and they were beautifully done.



This one was my fave.  The gold thread and sequins work was incredible.






Scarlet letter! This must be Hester Prynne.

12 comments:

  1. Wouldn't it be nice if they had figureheads today?

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    1. I do see them on some sailing ships but not many.

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  2. I wonder why none of the ladies had arms? I had never realised that about figureheads before. I wonder if it applied to all figureheads?

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    1. I've seen some with arms....the ones on ships, and a couple that are on sea-facing homes.

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  3. Neat! Didn't realize they were all from the same mold until I started scrolling back and forth. We have Polar Bears. At first they were all displayed around our Legislative Building, but now they are spread throughout the city.

    http://www.manitobaphotos.com/bears.htm

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    1. Wow I didn't even notice that they were all from the same mold! I was glad I got to see the ones in Victoria b/c there are only a couple left. I will check out the ones in Manitoba! Thanks for the link!

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  4. I'm having a hard time looking for too long at those armless busts. I admit, too, that the second a third photos look phallic to me (the witch's nose, dinosaur's neck and head.). Sorry, JoJo. I'm depraved and repressed.

    I hope you're enjoying the holiday weekend.

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    1. Oh great now I can't unsee the witch's nose. lmao Thank you for that. :)

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  5. Lovely figureheads. Didn't realize it until I read Maureen's comment about the figurehead molds, that the ladies were indeed all related . . . I know what octuplets are but what would ten be??? Anyway what make them uniquely different is the individual way each is painted and embellished, making each a one-of-a-kind.

    And thanks Rawknrobyn ! Now I too can't not-see the witches nose. :D

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    1. I was wondering if there were more figureheads around town that we missed. Guess I'll have to go back up there to see!!!

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  6. The figureheads are really artistic and cool! ♥

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    1. Yes they are. I would love to have done one too. Too bad I'm not a recognized artist with a store in Salem.

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