A close-up of a piece of ScrimshawA small collection of Scrimshaw
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Scrimshaw

Scrimshaw is the name given to handiwork created by whalers made from the byproducts of harvesting marine mammals. It is most commonly made out of the bones and teeth of Sperm Whales, the baleen of other whales, and the tusks of walruses. more...

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It takes the form of elaborate carvings in the form of pictures and lettering on the surface of the bone or tooth, with the engravings highlighted using a pigment, or small sculptures made from the same material. The making of scrimshaw began on whaling ships between 1817 to 1824 on the Pacific Ocean, and survived until the ban on commercial whaling. The practice survives as a hobby and as a trade for commercial artisans. A maker of scrimshaw is known as a scrimshander.

History of scrimshaw

Scrimshaw is derived from the shipboard practice of sailors creating common tools, and on whaling ships the byproducts of whales were readily available. The term originally referred to the making of these tools, only later referring to works of art created by whalers in their spare time. Whale bone is ideally suited towards the task, as it is very easy to work and very plentiful.

The development of scrimshaw took off after the market for whale teeth, which was sought by Chinese traders for use in the Pacific Islands (for example the Fijian market for tabua), was flooded with teeth after a narrative by an American sailor, Captain David Porter, revealed both the market and the source of the teeth. Around this time is the earliest authenticated pictorial piece of scrimshaw (1817). The tooth was inscribed with the following This is the tooth of a sperm whale that was caught near the Galapagos islands by the crew of the ship Adam , and made 100 barrels of oil in the year 1817.

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Scrimshaw Eagle on Large Toe Nail Folding Knife/knivesScrimshaw Eagle on Large Toe Nail Folding Knife/knives $49.99 1840 Scrimshaw Whale Bone Signed James Allan Antique Nr1840 Scrimshaw Whale Bone Signed James Allan Antique Nr
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Scrimshaw Tusk "Charles W. Morgan" 1842 New BedfordScrimshaw Tusk "Charles W. Morgan" 1842 New Bedford Scrimshaw Tooth "Constitution" Capturing The GuerriereScrimshaw Tooth "Constitution" Capturing The Guerriere
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Vintage Scrimshaw Impala Signed Vintage Scrimshaw Impala Signed The Best Scrimshaw Walrus Tusk Replica "James Allen"The Best Scrimshaw Walrus Tusk Replica "James Allen"
Original scrimshaw pendant on Bison HornOriginal scrimshaw pendant on Bison Horn Barbara Johnson Whaling Collection Auction CatalogsBarbara Johnson Whaling Collection Auction Catalogs
Fine Sailor Bone Scrimshaw Masted Whaling shipFine Sailor Bone Scrimshaw Masted Whaling ship Scrimshaw Cow Bone Pendant - RoseScrimshaw Cow Bone Pendant - Rose $10.99
Scrimshaw Cow Bone Book Mark - CardinalScrimshaw Cow Bone Book Mark - Cardinal $16.99 1800's Whale Bone Handmade Pick Exquisite Design1800's Whale Bone Handmade Pick Exquisite Design
Scrimshaw Large resin replica Whale Tooth Scrimshaw Large resin replica Whale Tooth Beautiful Signed Sterling Scrimshaw Ship PendantBeautiful Signed Sterling Scrimshaw Ship Pendant
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Sperm Whale Tooth "Charles W. Morgan" Last WhalerSperm Whale Tooth "Charles W. Morgan" Last Whaler Scrimshaw Replica Whale Tooth "Eagle"Scrimshaw Replica Whale Tooth "Eagle"
Nautical Decorative AnchorNautical Decorative Anchor $15.00 Antique bone scrimshaw whaling implementAntique bone scrimshaw whaling implement
Scrimshaw Spanish Galleon Inlay/Brass Pillcase ~Mint~Scrimshaw Spanish Galleon Inlay/Brass Pillcase ~Mint~ Antique Turned Wood Civil War Era Old Wooden Snuff BoxAntique Turned Wood Civil War Era Old Wooden Snuff Box
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Scrimshaw whale design by PutepScrimshaw whale design by Putep $50.00 Scrimshaw Cow Bone Book Mark - Beach RosesScrimshaw Cow Bone Book Mark - Beach Roses $14.99
Scrimshaw Cow Bone Zippo Lighter - Comp./Lt./ShipScrimshaw Cow Bone Zippo Lighter - Comp./Lt./Ship $54.99 Scrimshaw Cow Bone Zippo Lighter - Red RosesScrimshaw Cow Bone Zippo Lighter - Red Roses $54.99
Nautical Art Scrimshaw "Leopard" Folding Knife/knives Nautical Art Scrimshaw "Leopard" Folding Knife/knives Old Ship Figureheads & Sterns, L.G.Carr LaughtonOld Ship Figureheads & Sterns, L.G.Carr Laughton
Nautical Scrimshaw Marlin Spike Folding Knife/knivesNautical Scrimshaw Marlin Spike Folding Knife/knives Scrimshaw Whale Hunters Inlay/Brass Pillcase ~Mint~Scrimshaw Whale Hunters Inlay/Brass Pillcase ~Mint~
John F Kennedy Scrimshaw Collector By Clare Barnes,'64 John F Kennedy Scrimshaw Collector By Clare Barnes,'64 Scrimshaw Cow Bone Book Mark - Humpback WhalesScrimshaw Cow Bone Book Mark - Humpback Whales $16.99
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Prices current as of last update, 03/14/10 10:30pm.

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