In the Middle Ages there was widespread belief in the mermaid (after the Middle English words mer, "sea," and maide, short for "maiden," meaning "an unmarried girl or woman"). The fabled sea-dwelling female was especially common to the folklore of maritime Europe and was invariably a supernatural creature.

Folk Art Mermaids include this one (rear), of carved and painted wood from Nova Scotia (signed on bottom in pencil, "Ron Margeson Oct 96), measuring about 10 ½" wide x 3" deep x 8 ¾" high overall. In the foreground is a figure of carved soapstone, possibly an example of sailors' art (about 5 ½" tall").

More Mermaids exhibits:

Mermaid Bath Salts

Mermaid Collection

Mermaid of Aden