MERMAID WITH METAL BOTTOM FROM FRONT OF SHIP/BOAT?

I got this along with 4 New Guinea ancestral figures - I think the seller thought they were all just carvings but I think this one is different.
It has what could be a mermaid at top and there is a metal/steel plate screwed into the bottom - I'm thinking this is from the front of a boat or ship and the metal part would be in the water but the metal would protect the wood?
If it is from a boat, what did they call it?
The only thing that bothers me is most if not all of the ladies/mermaids/mascots on the front of ships were life like & shaped - not a straight board (even though it is V shaped and would fit on the front of a boat where the 2 sides come together - but I think it'd be a small boat!
Could it be for a door & the metal is a kick plate you use to push door open with your foot?
Thanks for your help.

 

I wouldn't think for a boat; but perhaps a decorative item for someplace where people might be likely to kick the bottom. Like....a doorway at an amusement arcade, merry-go-round or the like; a decorative post with foot-protector at the bottom. And that's just a guess; but the middle design reminds me of a harp or other musical symbol, and it seems vaguely circus-like.
Just some guesses....but I don't see any nautical or figure-head connection.
I'd be thinking US or Europe, not New Guinea.

 

The New Guinea statement was for the other figures I got with this one - I posted asking about them & there are photos.
This one has me stumped!

 

You probably mean for a bowsprit. I don't think so but maybe.
I like it though.

 

I agree with all-fakes,this looks circus/carnival oriented and I love it ! Maybe part of a merry go round? id research it well,if genuine it could be worth a dollar or two.