Figurehead

A gilt plaster figurehead representing Old Father Thames from the Royal Barge. Made from jesmonite by a team from City & Guilds of London Art School led by Alan Lamb. 'EIIR' appears in gold on red in the centre, surrounded by silver and gold fish and shells and tipped by a carved head of Neptune with a blue ribbon around the base.

The barge Spirit of Chartwell was refitted over six months in preparation for the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. Coats of arms of each of the countries of which Queen Elizabeth II was Head of State were hung down each side of the barge, which was decorated with 10,000 flowers from the royal estates. This figurehead was attached to the prow, at the very front of the vessel.

The seven-mile route, which incorporated some 1,000 vessels, began at Albert Bridge and concluded at Tower Bridge. Churches on the riverside rang their bells as the procession passed. The pageant is thought to have been the largest waterborne procession on the Thames in over 350 years.