A HISTORIC artifact has gone on display at a West Cumbrian museum. 

The Beacon has displayed a historical figurine that dates to the 19th. 

The Maria Lowther figure is on view for visitors to enjoy at the centre. 

The museum explains that maritime history had a complicated relationship with women. 

Some superstitious sailors would not let women aboard their ships because it was bad luck - this sometimes included banning female figureheads.

Others believed that female images would keep them safe, and figureheads were already associated with protection of the sea.

A spokesperson at The Beacon said: "This fine figure of Maria Lowther has survived to this day. Even though the ship bearing her name no longer exists, she lives here in Whitehaven, a port town on which the Lowther family had such a huge influence.

"She stands in a glass case, but once she used to adorn the front of a schooner – a merchant ship – built in Guernsey in 1840.

"She would have looked out to sea leading and guiding the ship on many sea voyages, protecting it, the crew, and the precious cargo she carried.

"Sometimes I have the impression that she protects and keeps “the Beacon ship” safe. For me, she symbolises strength, resilience, and safety."