A scrimshaw walrus tusk engraved with the "Bella Union Saloon" and "Committee of Vigilance - San Francisco"

Prospective purchasers are advised that several co… Read more

Details

A scrimshaw walrus tusk engraved with the "Bella Union Saloon" and "Committee of Vigilance - San Francisco"
engraved on the front from the tip to the root with: "Bella Union Saloon" in a box with a drop shadow; "Committee of Vigilance/San Francisco/Self Preservation/The First Law of Nature" surrounding a drawing of an eye; "Ante Up" over a stack of poker chips with dice and card markers; "Your Next Deal/Put Up!" engraved around the head of a goat; and on the back is engraved with the card Ace, 10, King, Queen and Jack all of the Hearts suit. With other decoative engraving.
15 in. (38.1 cm.) long.

Special notice

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 Bella Union Saloon was one of the most famous and infamous of saloons in San Francisco during the gold rush era. Located at the corner of Washington and Kearny Sts. on Portsmouth Square in the heart of the gambling district, this was probably the location for which this piece was commissioned by a member of the Committee of Vigilance.

The Committee of Vigilance was instituted in about 1851 to combat the
lawlessness in that region. A committee of roughly 200 prominent citizens set out to combat gambling, prostitution, and crime in the absence of an effective system of law and law enforcement.

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