Engraved Porpoise Tooth, mid-19th century
Engraved Porpoise Tooth, mid-19th century
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- Description
- The short length and slender proportions of this carved tooth indicate that it came from the mouth of a porpoise rather than a sperm whale. Its rough, dark and mottled surface was badly prepared for the craftsman’s sharpened tool, rendering the details of the carving difficult to see clearly.
- The obverse depicts a man standing inside a circular rope motif; his costume is reminiscent of a Near Eastern or Asian warrior, with padded pants and low hanging blouse and hair in a bun. The surface of the tooth above the figure has horizontal striations, almost like a metal file was applied. On the reverse is another man surrounded by an oval rope motif; he wears a more traditional Western waistcoat and holds a cane in his right hand. Atop his head is a tightly-wrapped turban.
- The pinprick method for preparing the line infill is evident, suggesting that the original drawings from which these were derived was in a periodical of the period. Perhaps one day the source for these enigmatic figures will be identified.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- tooth, whale
- scrimshaw tooth, whale
- scrimshaw tooth, porpoise
- Other Terms
- tooth, whale; scrimshaw
- Physical Description
- tooth, whale (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 4 1/2 in x 1 1/2 in x 7/8 in; 11.43 cm x 3.81 cm x 2.2225 cm
- ID Number
- DL.388606
- catalog number
- 388606
- accession number
- 182022
- Credit Line
- Gift of Dr. & Mrs. Arthur M. Greenwood.
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Maritime
- Cultures & Communities
- Scrimshaw
- Transportation
- Art
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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