Engraved Whale's Tooth
Age: 1810-30
Materials: Sperm Whale Tooth Ivory
Maker: Unknown
Description: At best common seamen were little educated. Due to the dangerous and dirty nature of the business of whaling their common crew members below that. In spite of a lack of formal education some examples of the engraved line on a ‘canvas’ of ivory clearly represent the core of this business. In this mesmerizing rendering of scrimshaw, the seaman has expressed the ridiculous proportions of the whale to the longboat. Seemingly too large in actuality it is nearly correct. Daring to plunge fluked irons to fasten the whaleboat to the payload, the harpooner at the bow of each of two whaleboats is seen along with an additional five top hatted men. Perspective challenges are evident when the artisan attempted to capture the bluntness of the sides of the whale’s head above the tooth filled jaw. An impossible two sided view of the near straight sided massive head, which as every whaleman knew contained the most valuable oil, is delineated in lampblack. Overlooking the scene is a view of the bluff bowed mother ship in the distance sailing on a separate sea. Our artist’s tooth was taken from a large bull sperm whale, the subject of which may well be depicted. The undisturbed surface displays a deep, rich, age patina. Circa 1810-30.
Size: L. 7" W. 3.25"
Weight: 1 pound 12.6 ounces
Condition: A sound tooth with large central age check as well as a 1 ½” crack on the reverse at the skirt, other age checks emanating primarily from the tip.
Meta: scrimshaw, maritime, marine, seafaring