Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth, mid 19th Century
Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth, mid 19th Century
Usage conditions apply
- Description
- The entire surface of this small sperm whale tooth is highly polished, but only one side is carved. A couple stands under a leafy vine, and the vine motif is echoed on the hem of the woman's floor length dress. The front of her dress has an apron design, and she wears a kerchief at her neck and a small flat-brimmed hat perched on her head. She holds hands with a man wearing a waist-length cape over his shoulders, speckled chaps or trousers with slash pockets and pointed shoes or boots. He is also wearing a button-down shirt with vertical stripes and a large flat-brimmed hat, almost providing the effect of a western cowboy style outfit.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- scrimshaw
- scrimshaw tooth, whale
- Object Type
- scrimshaws
- Other Terms
- scrimshaw; Maritime
- date made
- mid 19th century
- Physical Description
- whale tooth (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 5 in x 2 1/8 in x 1 3/8 in; 12.7 cm x 5.3975 cm x 3.4925 cm
- ID Number
- 1978.0052.12
- accession number
- 1978.0052
- catalog number
- 1978.52.12
- Credit Line
- From the collection of Dr. and Mrs. Wilbur J. Gould
- subject
- Whaling
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Maritime
- Cultures & Communities
- Scrimshaw
- Transportation
- Art
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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