Painting

The Cross-Staff–Painting

This portrait shows a seaman with a cross-staff with two cross-pieces (note only one would be used at a time for making measurements). The presence of the cross-staff indicates he is a shipmaster since regular crew would not be knowledgeable of navigation and navigation tools. The artist is thus using the cross-Staff as an indicator of the owner's prestige and position.

Portrait of Shipmaster with Cross-Staff

Anonymous, c. 1750

New Bedford Whaling Museum

Used with permission of the New Bedford Whaling Museum