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Scrimshaws

Sag Harbor Whale Scrimshaw Cribbage Board
Sag Harbor Whale Scrimshaw Cribbage Board

Sag Harbor Whale Scrimshaw Cribbage Board

Located in Sag Harbor, NY

Authentic Scrimshaw carved into and antique tortoise shell with brass legs.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Folk Art Antiquities

Materials

Tortoise Shell

19th Century Antique Powder Horn with Scrimshaw
19th Century Antique Powder Horn with Scrimshaw

19th Century Antique Powder Horn with Scrimshaw

Located in San Diego, CA

Rare 19th century antique powder horn with scrimshaw, circa 1872. The horn is inscribed "Charles Lee" in scroll on the side of the horn and the wood cap is carved with the initials "...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Metal

Japanese Scrimshaw Carved Bone Sectional Container (Inrō Style), Meiji Period
Japanese Scrimshaw Carved Bone Sectional Container (Inrō Style), Meiji Period

Japanese Scrimshaw Carved Bone Sectional Container (Inrō Style), Meiji Period

Located in San Diego, CA

A finely carved Japanese sectional container in the traditional inrō form, crafted from polished bone and decorated with detailed scrimshaw engravings. The cylindrical case is compos...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bone

Antique Walking Stick with Horn Handle Adorned with Elephant Scrimshaw
Antique Walking Stick with Horn Handle Adorned with Elephant Scrimshaw

Antique Walking Stick with Horn Handle Adorned with Elephant Scrimshaw

Located in San Diego, CA

Fabulous antique walking stick with horn handle decorated with elephant scrimshaw, circa 1900. The handle is a curved horn with a pack of elephants in scrimshaw.

Category

Early 20th Century American Antiquities

Materials

Hardwood, Horn

A rare scrimshaw decorated horn signed by C.H. Wood
A rare scrimshaw decorated horn signed by C.H. Wood

A rare scrimshaw decorated horn signed by C.H. Wood

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A rare scrimshaw decorated horn signed by C.H. Wood. Each curled horn is ornately carved with important motif’s relating to the Battle of Trafalgar and iconic battleships.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Nautical Objects

Materials

Horn

19th Century English Scrimshaw Steer Horn with Black Armorial Crest Engraving
19th Century English Scrimshaw Steer Horn with Black Armorial Crest Engraving

19th Century English Scrimshaw Steer Horn with Black Armorial Crest Engraving

Located in Dallas, TX

Decorate a man's office with this fine, antique scrimshaw steer Horn. Found in England, circa 1870, the Horn flaunts impressive engraving work and overall is in excellent condition.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English More Desk Accessories

Materials

Horn

1950s South African Scrimshaw Ostrich Egg by Late Chief Sipho Ndldvu
1950s South African Scrimshaw Ostrich Egg by Late Chief Sipho Ndldvu

1950s South African Scrimshaw Ostrich Egg by Late Chief Sipho Ndldvu

Located in Marbella, ES

Original 1950s South African scrimshaw ostrich egg by late chief Sipho Ndlvu depicting a pair of elephants.

Category

Mid-20th Century South African Mounted Objects

Materials

Ostrich Eggshell

A rare scrimshaw decorated horn Signed and inscribed by the base by C. Wood
A rare scrimshaw decorated horn Signed and inscribed by the base by C. Wood

A rare scrimshaw decorated horn Signed and inscribed by the base by C. Wood

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A rare scrimshaw decorated horn, engraved over one side with the Royal Arms countersigned and titled ship profiles for the Great Eastern, the Great Britain, H.M.S.

Category

Antique 1860s English Nautical Objects

Materials

Horn

Handmade Houses, a Guide to the Woodbutcher's Art
Handmade Houses, a Guide to the Woodbutcher's Art

Handmade Houses, a Guide to the Woodbutcher's Art

Located in Bradenton, FL

Hardcover book with dustjacket, published in 1973 by Scrimshaw Press. Printed in the United States, illustrated.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Rustic Books

Materials

Paper

English Georgian Satirical Cow Horn Beaker Royal Coach Attacked Heraldic Lion
English Georgian Satirical Cow Horn Beaker Royal Coach Attacked Heraldic Lion

English Georgian Satirical Cow Horn Beaker Royal Coach Attacked Heraldic Lion

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Executed in finely engraved translucent cow horn using traditional scrimshaw techniques, the entire vessel functions as a continuous panoramic narrative meant to be slowly turned in ...

Category

Antique 18th Century English Georgian Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Antler

Cast Eagle Head Figurehead
Cast Eagle Head Figurehead

Cast Eagle Head Figurehead

Located in Chicago, IL

Nautical folk art has long held collectors in its grip: ship carvings, trade signs, scrimshaw, emblems of adventure rendered by hand. This piece nods to that tradition with confidenc...

Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Composition

18th Century Ox Bone Carved Riding Hunting Cups Classical Figures Green Man
18th Century Ox Bone Carved Riding Hunting Cups Classical Figures Green Man

18th Century Ox Bone Carved Riding Hunting Cups Classical Figures Green Man

Located in Lowestoft, GB

Carved From Ox Bone decorated with a sgraffito scratched design with ink forced into the marks, very much in the scrimshaw style The imagery showing classical figures among them na...

Category

Antique 18th Century European Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Natural Fiber

Mattapoisett Basket, by Gladys Ellis, circa 1940s
Mattapoisett Basket, by Gladys Ellis, circa 1940s

Mattapoisett Basket, by Gladys Ellis, circa 1940s

Located in Nantucket, MA

After becoming adept at scrimshaw and Nantucket baskets, she had the idea to create her own unique style of basketry.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Baskets

Materials

Other

Mattapoisett Basket, by Gladys Ellis, circa 1940s
Mattapoisett Basket, by Gladys Ellis, circa 1940s

Mattapoisett Basket, by Gladys Ellis, circa 1940s

Located in Nantucket, MA

After becoming adept at scrimshaw and Nantucket baskets, she had the idea to create her own unique style of basketry.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Baskets

Materials

Other

Handmade Houses A Guide to the Woodbutcher's Art by Art Boericke
Handmade Houses A Guide to the Woodbutcher's Art by Art Boericke

Handmade Houses A Guide to the Woodbutcher's Art by Art Boericke

Located in valatie, NY

Handmade Houses: A Guide to the Woodbutcher's Art by Art Boericke. Scrimshaw Press, California, 1973. 3rd printing hardcover with dust jacket.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Books

Materials

Paper

Antique Nantucket Ship's Wheel Dining Table
Antique Nantucket Ship's Wheel Dining Table

Antique Nantucket Ship's Wheel Dining Table

By Nancy Chase

Located in Nantucket, MA

Antique ship's wheel dining table from Nantucket Island, made by the renowned Scrimshaw artist Nancy Chase (1931-2016). Nancy bought this Late 19th Century Ship's Wheel from an antiq...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Dining Room Tables

Materials

Glass, Wood

Recent Sales

Antique Horn Carved Scrimshaw Powder Horn Flask
Antique Horn Carved Scrimshaw Powder Horn Flask

Antique Horn Carved Scrimshaw Powder Horn Flask

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

19th century carved scrimshaw "Walrus" powder horn flask. This one of a kind carved scrimshaw bone powder horn flask is well preserved with great detail to the walrus and lighthouse ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Nautical Objects

Materials

Bone, Leather, Wood

C. 1890 Walrus Ivory Carved Scrimshaw Tusk
C. 1890 Walrus Ivory Carved Scrimshaw Tusk

C. 1890 Walrus Ivory Carved Scrimshaw Tusk

Unavailable

W 15.5 in D 2.5 in

C. 1890 Walrus Ivory Carved Scrimshaw Tusk

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Offering a C.1890 walrus ivory relief carved and polychromed scrimshaw walrus tusk. This tusk was made into a cribbage board, but the pieces were not part of it when purchased at the...

Category

Antique 19th Century American Sculptures

Late 19th century Dutch ebonised ripple frame style mirror
Late 19th century Dutch ebonised ripple frame style mirror

Late 19th century Dutch ebonised ripple frame style mirror

Unavailable

H 14.57 in W 11.62 in D 13.78 in

Late 19th century Dutch ebonised ripple frame style mirror

Located in London, GB

Ebonised Dutch style ripple frame mirror with amber style cabochons and bone scrimshaw corners. The plate is original.

Category

Antique Early 1900s British Aesthetic Movement Wall Mirrors

Materials

Wood

19th Century Small Secretaire with Faience Medaillons
19th Century Small Secretaire with Faience Medaillons

19th Century Small Secretaire with Faience Medaillons

Unavailable

H 62.21 in W 31.89 in D 18.51 in

19th Century Small Secretaire with Faience Medaillons

Located in Wels, AT

Eight faience medaillons and brass details. Some gilded scrimshaw, ebonized wood.

Category

Antique 1860s European Secretaires

Rare Sailor-Made Whale Ivory Umbrella Form Needle Case
Rare Sailor-Made Whale Ivory Umbrella Form Needle Case

Rare Sailor-Made Whale Ivory Umbrella Form Needle Case

Located in Woodbury, CT

A very rare whale Ivory scrimshaw umbrella form needle-holder. Throughout the 19th century whalers would practice the art of scrimshaw to keep themselves occupied since many whaling ...

Category

20th Century American Nautical Objects

ASailor-Made Whalebone Fid With Ebony Inlay
ASailor-Made Whalebone Fid With Ebony Inlay

ASailor-Made Whalebone Fid With Ebony Inlay

Located in Woodbury, CT

A very fine and rare Scrimshaw Fid with spiral handle and diamond shape ebony inlay.

Category

20th Century American Nautical Objects

Materials

Ebony

Northwest Coast Walrus Tusk Cribbage Board and Map
Northwest Coast Walrus Tusk Cribbage Board and Map

Northwest Coast Walrus Tusk Cribbage Board and Map

Unavailable

H 3.5 in W 26.75 in D 2.5 in

Northwest Coast Walrus Tusk Cribbage Board and Map

Located in Chicago, IL

This is a beautifully carved and scrimshawed piece. Both sides of the tusk are interesting.

Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Ivory

Decorated Ships Hatch Cover circa 1900
Decorated Ships Hatch Cover circa 1900

Decorated Ships Hatch Cover circa 1900

Unavailable

H 30 in W 60 in D 2.5 in

Decorated Ships Hatch Cover circa 1900

Located in Bedford, NY

A museum quality, turn of the 20th Century ships hatch carved with a tall ship and "Ships Chandlery" , Threre are two areas on either en of the hatch with "Scrimshawes Sail Vessels"...

Category

Early 20th Century American American Craftsman Nautical Objects

Very Fine 19th C. Whalebone Crochet Needle with Fist.
Very Fine 19th C. Whalebone Crochet Needle with Fist.

Very Fine 19th C. Whalebone Crochet Needle with Fist.

Located in Woodbury, CT

Throughout the 19th century whalers would practice the art of scrimshaw to keep themselves occupied since many whaling voyages could last between 3 and 5 years or more and several we...

Category

Antique 19th Century American Nautical Objects

Antique Grand Tour Souvenir Of Rome Italy Ebony & Ivory Frame
Antique Grand Tour Souvenir Of Rome Italy Ebony & Ivory Frame

Antique Grand Tour Souvenir Of Rome Italy Ebony & Ivory Frame

Located in South Coast, CA

Very good to excellent condition, not a lift in all that scrimshaw-like engraved ivory which is painstakingly recessed into the surface of the beautiful old ebony.

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Picture Frames

Materials

Glass

Scrimshaw Burlwood Table
Scrimshaw Burlwood Table

Scrimshaw Burlwood Table

Sold

H 17 in W 14 in D 10.5 in

Scrimshaw Burlwood Table

Located in Palm Springs, CA

Scrimshaw burlwood side/pedestal table.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Side Tables

Materials

Burl

Early 19th century Scrimshaw
Early 19th century Scrimshaw

Early 19th century Scrimshaw

Sold

H 6 in W 46.63 in D 1.25 in

Early 19th century Scrimshaw

Located in Sag Harbor, NY

An amazing piece of Whaling history. This piece was created on the Ship Argonaut in 1817. The Argonaut was the first Sag Harbor Whaling Ship to round cape horn on it's quest for whal...

Category

Antique 1810s American American Colonial Historical Memorabilia

1887 Powder Horn with Scrimshaw
1887 Powder Horn with Scrimshaw

1887 Powder Horn with Scrimshaw

Sold

H 6 in W 8 in D 3.5 in

1887 Powder Horn with Scrimshaw

Located in Tarrytown, NY

1887 Powder horn with scrimshaw of bird with skeleton face, 1887 and Alvin Hill.

Category

Antique 1880s Antiquities

Materials

Brass

19th Century Scrimshaw Snuff Box
19th Century Scrimshaw Snuff Box

19th Century Scrimshaw Snuff Box

Sold

H 1 in W 3 in D 2 in

19th Century Scrimshaw Snuff Box

Located in London, GB

19th Century Scrimshaw Snuff Box We are proud to offer an early 19th Century fork art bone scrimshaw snuff box.

Category

Antique 1820s British Folk Art Tobacco Accessories

Materials

Bone

19th Century Scrimshaw Powder Horn
19th Century Scrimshaw Powder Horn

19th Century Scrimshaw Powder Horn

Sold

H 9 in W 2.5 in D 4 in

19th Century Scrimshaw Powder Horn

Located in London, GB

19th century Scrimshaw powder Horn We are proud to offer a lovely example of a 19th century Scrimshaw powder Horn.

Category

Antique 1880s British Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Horn

Sperm Whale Scrimshaw Nautical Faux Tooth
Sperm Whale Scrimshaw Nautical Faux Tooth

Sperm Whale Scrimshaw Nautical Faux Tooth

Sold

H 6.3 in W 2.37 in D 2.37 in

Sperm Whale Scrimshaw Nautical Faux Tooth

Located in Nottingham, GB

In good condition From a private collection Free international shipping Sperm Whale Scrimshaw Nautical Faux Tooth

Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

Materials

Resin

19th Century Scrimshaw Spanish Powder Horn
19th Century Scrimshaw Spanish Powder Horn

19th Century Scrimshaw Spanish Powder Horn

Located in London, GB

19th century Scrimshaw Spanish powder horn We are proud to offer an early 19th century Spanish scrimshaw gun powder horn made from bull horn.

Category

Antique 1840s Spanish Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bone

Pair of 19th Century Scottish Scrimshaw Horns
Pair of 19th Century Scottish Scrimshaw Horns

Pair of 19th Century Scottish Scrimshaw Horns

Located in valatie, NY

Pair of 19th Century Scottish Scrimshaw Horns - impressive size. Our Reference: 40-101

Category

Antique 19th Century Scottish Decorative Objects

Rare 18th Century Germanic Scrimshaw Figural Spoon
Rare 18th Century Germanic Scrimshaw Figural Spoon

Rare 18th Century Germanic Scrimshaw Figural Spoon

Located in Nottingham, GB

Rare 18th Century Germanic Scrimshaw Figural Spoon Good condition From a private collection.

Category

Antique 18th Century Antiquities

Materials

Horn

Mid-19th Century English Horn Scrimshaw Beaker
Mid-19th Century English Horn Scrimshaw Beaker

Mid-19th Century English Horn Scrimshaw Beaker

Located in London, GB

Mid-19th century Scrimshaw beaker A rare example of a mid-19th century scrimshaw beaker.

Category

Antique 1840s British Folk Art Taxidermy

Materials

Bone

Scrimshaw Turban Shell Carved with the Leviathan
Scrimshaw Turban Shell Carved with the Leviathan

Scrimshaw Turban Shell Carved with the Leviathan

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A scrimshaw turban shell carved with the Leviathan, the polished mother-of-pearl shell incised throughout in black penwork with a full-width image of the paddle-steamer ‘Leviathan’ a...

Category

Antique 1850s English Natural Specimens

Materials

Shell

19th Century Sailor Made Scrimshaw Box, circa 1850
19th Century Sailor Made Scrimshaw Box, circa 1850

19th Century Sailor Made Scrimshaw Box, circa 1850

Located in Nantucket, MA

19th Century Sailor Made Scrimshaw Box, circa 1850, a rectangular mahogany box with cross-band veneered perimeter on hinged lid, with inlaid bone heart, diamonds and quarter fans, eb...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bone, Mahogany

Mid-19th Century Pair of Scrimshaw Miniature Plaques
Mid-19th Century Pair of Scrimshaw Miniature Plaques

Mid-19th Century Pair of Scrimshaw Miniature Plaques

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Mid-19th century pair of scrimshaw miniature plaques, each framed, Japanese.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood, Ivory

Rare English 19th Century Scrimshaw Sailors Gaming Dice Game
Rare English 19th Century Scrimshaw Sailors Gaming Dice Game

Rare English 19th Century Scrimshaw Sailors Gaming Dice Game

Located in London, GB

A rare 19th century scrimshaw sailors gaming dice game We are proud to offer a rare 19th century English scrimshaw sailors dice game.

Category

Antique 1890s British Folk Art Game Boards

Materials

Bone

Geoff Olsen Scrimshaw Grizzley Bear on Fossilized Walrus Bone
Geoff Olsen Scrimshaw Grizzley Bear on Fossilized Walrus Bone

Geoff Olsen Scrimshaw Grizzley Bear on Fossilized Walrus Bone

Located in Fulton, CA

Geoff Olsen fine scrimshaw carving on fossilized walrus bone. Depicting a mother grizzly bear and her three cubs with Alaskan mountain range in background.

Category

Late 20th Century North American Natural Specimens

Materials

Bone

Pair of Antique Scrimshaw Cups, Welsh, Ram's Horn, Carved Tumbler, Victorian
Pair of Antique Scrimshaw Cups, Welsh, Ram's Horn, Carved Tumbler, Victorian

Pair of Antique Scrimshaw Cups, Welsh, Ram's Horn, Carved Tumbler, Victorian

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is a pair of antique scrimshaw cups. A Welsh, ram's horn carved tumbler, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1900.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Welsh Decorative Bowls

Materials

Horn

Georgian Horn Scrimshaw Folk Art English Hand Carved Beaker, circa 1810
Georgian Horn Scrimshaw Folk Art English Hand Carved Beaker, circa 1810

Georgian Horn Scrimshaw Folk Art English Hand Carved Beaker, circa 1810

Located in London, GB

Georgian horn scrimshaw beaker circa 1810 We are proud to offer a folk-art English scrimshaw Georgian horn carved beaker.

Category

Antique 1810s English Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bone

Antique Inuit Carved Bone Folk Art Scrimshaw Cribbage Game Board
Antique Inuit Carved Bone Folk Art Scrimshaw Cribbage Game Board

Antique Inuit Carved Bone Folk Art Scrimshaw Cribbage Game Board

Located in Dayton, OH

Antique Inuit folk art carved bone cribbage board featuring a Polar Bear propped up by Seals. Measure: 10".

Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Games

Materials

Bone

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Scrimshaws For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of scrimshaws for sale on 1stDibs. Frequently made of bone, horn and animal skin, all scrimshaws available were constructed with great care. Scrimshaws have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 19th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. Folk Art scrimshaws are consistently popular styles.

How Much are Scrimshaws?

Prices for scrimshaws start at $225 and top out at $94,000 with the average selling for $1,267.