The fascinating and illustrated story behind the warship figureheads on display at The Box, Plymouth.

A well-illustrated look at shipboard ornamentation through the ages -- from charging ram heads on ancient Greek and Roman war-galleys to vintage Elizabethan gal

Bonded Leather binding

The first figureheads that were carved to represent the names of British warships appeared during the reign of Henry VIII; the last ones were carved in the earl