Nannie the Witch

One of the most recognisable figureheads in the National Maritime Museum's world-leading collection is Nannie the witch, who leans with outstretched arm from the bow of Cutty Sark towards the River Thames. Nannie, who has provided protection to the ship in at least three different forms over the course of its history, is at the centre of this book.

Cutty Sark experts Louise Macfarlane and Claire Denham explore the history of the figurehead, including its original design by Hercules Linton and construction by carver Frederick Hellyer. Using drawings and archival photographs, they show how the figure morphed into the version at the ship's bow today.

With a contribution from master carver Andy Peters, responsible for the Nannie that was installed in 2021, the book documents the process of creating a figurehead and considers the art of figurehead carving as an endangered skill.