Venetian Icon: The Ferro
The front of every gondola is adorned with the Ferro. Its practical use is to provide stability to the craft to counterbalance the weight of the gondolier. The Ferro includes 6 strips (pettini) which are said to represent the 6 sestieri or quarters of Venice. The additional strip on the other side represents Giudecca Island. The figures in the middle that look like a bending double-s are said to represent the Grand Canal. The solid area on the top is said to represent the form of the Doge's ritual hat. The Ferro is sometimes personalized with additional artwork or, as in this case, initials.
