A curved piece of ornamental woodwork that runs aft from the figurehead along the upper part of the ship's stem. It serves as a visual transition between the carved figurehead and the structural timbers of the bow, framing the trailboards. While primarily decorative, it helps protect the leading edges of the forward planking from minor impacts.
Heard on the job
The shipwright is carving a new hair bracket to match the scrollwork on the restored figurehead.