Boat Prow

India (Kerala, Quilon or Alleppey),
circa 1850

Height: 59.5 cm
Width: 49 cm
Depth: 17 cm

This teak wood and brass boat prow is carved in a spiral motif, featuring an elephant’s head at the front, above which is an embossed brass lotus flower. There are remnants of brass inlay in the form of a bird at the lower part of the boat prow.

This is an intriguing object. It contains an ensemble of symbolic imagery that closely corresponds to its function as the prow of a fishing boat: the symbols are a protective talisman for the fishermen’s perilous occupation in often dangerous waters. The spiral form would allude to both the sea’s waves as well as Vishnu’s cosmic spiral of chakra, his divine weapon. Vishnu is echoed again in the inlaid bird form of Garuda – the sun eagle and Vishnu’s mount. Garuda is a symbol of the sun, enemy of serpents, pursuer of evil, and the embodiment of courage.

At the front of the prow is the elephant headed god, Ganesha. Ganesha is the remover of obstacles and is present to grant good luck to the fishermen at sea in times of trouble. The embossed lotus flower is a reference to Lakshmi, Goddess of the Lotus. She embodies good luck and prosperity, and she is also the consort of Vishnu. The flower form is also the “third eye”, whose function is to ward off evil and bad fortune.