For Ayal, who has since exchanged the Vishkotter for an inland vessel, a day he will not soon forget. He is working with colleagues to bring in the nets full of shrimp when the wooden statue from him suddenly stares. And Barry’s gaze appears to have had an important function. “Intended to frighten the enemy, hence those piercing eyes. They look right through you,” archaeologist Michiel Bartels told earlier NH.
After a photo of the image on X, the find becomes national news. “It was really bizarre. At one point I could no longer do my work normally. My phone remained red -hot.”
Exhibition
That is why Victor soon chooses to distance themselves from the statue and Barry comes into the hands of Nautical Heritage Wieringen. The foundation, which itself has several boats of more than a hundred years, has been busy with Barry in recent years. With the help of the municipality, the image is well preserved, so that the quality can be guaranteed.
A special display case has also been purchased for Barry, which will be placed after his lending in Leiden. In Den Oever everyone is ready for the arrival of Barry, but the medieval image first makes a trip to the Rijksmuseum of Antiquities in Leiden.
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