Description

Simply carved and without any engraving, this food chopper, or mincer, was made in two pieces from a sperm whale’s jawbone. Its blunted, curved blade was used to chop soft foods such as bread dough, fruits, sausage, and animal fats. This example was donated by former Secretary of the Institution Spencer F. Baird (1823–1887) to the Smithsonian, where it became one of the earliest objects in the maritime collections.

date made

1800s

purchased

1876-11-30

Physical Description

sperm-whale's jaw (overall material)

Measurements

overall: 7 1/4 in x 5 5/8 in x 1 in; 18.415 cm x 14.2875 cm x 2.54 cm

ID Number

AG.024909

catalog number

24909

accession number

2009.0157

subject

Fishing

related event

Expansion and Reform

Civil War and Reconstruction

The Development of the Industrial United States

See more items in

Work and Industry: Fisheries

Work

Cultures & Communities

Industry & Manufacturing

Art

Natural Resources

Food

Transportation

Exhibition

On the Water

Exhibition Location

National Museum of American History

Data Source

National Museum of American History