The "Sybille" Figurehead, 1912 (colour litho)

This wood figurehead was carved after the portrait of Lady Hamilton as a Sibyl by Elisabeth-Louise Vigée-Le Brun; it adorned the prow of HMS Sybille, a fifth rate, 36 gun ship, launched in 1847 and which took part in the bombardment and capture of Canton (Guangzhou) in 1857 during the Second China War; Emma, Lady Hamilton (1765-1815), mistress of Lord Nelson; a ship's figurehead embodied the spirit of a ship and was originally believed to placate the gods of the sea and ensure a safe voyage; female figureheads were especially popular, as according to the superstitions of seamen, although women on board a ship were thought to be unlucky, a female figurehead would help to calm a storm at sea; from a series of illustrations of figureheads produced as cigarette cards by Players;