La fórcola
What is a fórcola?
A fórcola (plural fórcole) is the rowlock or oarpost used in traditional Venetian boats, the most well-known type of boat being the gondola. Fórcole are unlike any other type of rowlock because of the unique rowing position of the oarsman: he stands facing forward and, in craft like the gondola, propels and manouevres the boat with a single oar.
The various manoeuvres require different oar postitions, so the fórcola must provide a number of leverage points. This accounts for its sinuous, organic shape.