The Royal Barge is decorated along its entire length, both inside and out, with gilded wooden carvings that are full of symbolism. It was built to mark the end of the Republic and the French period in the Netherlands and the start of the new royal house, the house of Orange-Nassau. The decorative bands of orange tree branches and fruits are a direct reference to this. Together, the symbols and motifs tell us that the people – under the rule and protection of the new king – will enjoy peace, prosperity, fertility and affluence. The showpiece of the Royal Barge is undoubtedly the bow ornamentation. Riding a wave, we see the Roman god of the sea, Neptune, with his trident in his hand. He is sitting on a carriage of seashells, pulled by three mythological seahorses. His arrival is announced by two of his sons: they are the figures blowing horns – Tritons or mermen, half human and half fish. The smaller figure blowing a horn on the leading seahorse is also a Triton, with wings in the shape of scallop shells. There is decorative edging along the bow gunwale, representing all kinds of water plants, shells and shellfish. Just as Neptune rules the waves, King Willem The First will rule the Netherlands