Scrimshaw whale tooth engraving of fine workmanship dated around 1850

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About the Item

Scrimshaw of an engraved whale tooth, of fine workmanship datable to around the mid-19th century, length 10.8 cm, depicting small rowing boat with sail and 6 men on board, one of them in the act of harpooning a whale larger than the boat. On the sail is marked No. 1. On the back of the tooth is engraved with the following phrase: Crew of the Nonsuch about to fasten to a Sperm Whale. Good original patina condition. Measures 10.8x4.5x3- inches 4.5x1.6x1.4. The last photo is the gift box. The word "scrimshaw" refers to an art form (and the various products of this art) that developed aboard American whaling ships between 1745 and 1759 as a means of entertainment to occupy time during the long hours aboard; this art form consisted of a process of carving and engraving whale bones and teeth, with which a wide range of both everyday and ornamental objects were made, which were usually made as souvenirs for members of one's family. Nella scelta dei materiali il primo era sicuramente il dente d'avorio del capodoglio. Solo la punta del dente era liscia ed era necessario preparare il resto della superficie ruvida lucidandola. Il dente era ben immerso in acqua salata o calda, spesso con l'aggiunta di potassio. Quindi veniva utilizzata una lima per strofinare e arrotondare la superficie, e infine una carta vetrata fine per completare il processo. L'ultima fase della lucidatura veniva eseguita con pomice o cenere e poi il dente veniva strofinato ancora con il palmo della mano. Each step had to be performed very slowly so as not to affect the smooth surface of the tooth. In terms of subjects for scrimshandering, the most common were a drawing of a ship or scenes of cetacean capture, made with a needle or knife, or an appropriate blade: for example, thanks to Herman Melville we know that some whalers had boxes of dentist's tools specially designed for scrimshandering. The origin of scrimshandering, as the whalers called it, i.e., the art of making scrimshaw, is a mystery: theories range from locating its origin in Eskimo culture or with Native Americans to emphasizing the influence of South Sea islanders. La spiegazione di Edouard A. Stackpole (1903 -1993), giornalista americano, scrittore e storico di caccia alle balene, è forse la più plausibile: lo scrimshaw sarebbe stato semplicemente lo sviluppo marittimo dell'antica arte di intagliare l'avorio, così come era stata praticata per secoli, e in quanto forma d'arte popolare non sarebbe stato altro che un adattamento da parte dei balenieri americani di un antico mestiere.

Dimensions:
Height: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)Diameter: 1.6 in (4.07 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Teeth
Period:
1850-1859
Date of Manufacture:
1850
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Milan, IT
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU1020237324922

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