PROBABLY AMERICAN, 19TH CENTURY

Details

A SCRIMSHAW WHALE TOOTH
Probably American, 19th century
Depicting a woman holding a cello in a tropical landscape and titled la Esmerelda; on verso is an elaborate tropical landscape with birds
5¼in. high

Special notice

Notice Regarding the Sale of Material from Endangered Species. Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country

Lot Essay

The coast of Peru was a popular whaling ground, and inspired some teeth inscibed with Spanish. E. Norman Flayderman pictures one such tooth inscribed A Spanish Senorita-Scene in Peru-1851 (see Scrimshaw and Scrimshanders (New Milford, Connecticut, 1972), p. 58)

More from Important American Furniture, Silver, Prints, Scrimshaw and

View All