Historical information

When scrimshaw is mentioned, most people think of carving on sperm whale teeth only. But scrimshaw also includes engravings on skeletal whale bone–such as the jaw bone, called panbone–and ivory from other marine mammals such as walrus. Although scrimshaw is widely associated with nautical themes and designs of the 19th century whaling industry, vintage scrimshaw was also produced as tribal art in many cultures. Today, scrimshaw is recognized as a unique medium in which present-day artists have developed their own modern themes.

Scrimshaw reproductions may take several forms. There are
- New carvings on genuine ivory or bone with the deliberate intent to create an "antique”
- New carvings on genuine ivory or bone sold as signed and dated contemporary art
- Clearly marked synthetic museum reproductions and mass marketed
- Unmarked synthetic replicas

Painstakingly carved deliberate replicas are directed towards the scrimshaw collector and seldom appear in the general market. Pieces of contemporary art and museum copies are usually clearly marked and openly sold for what they are. The biggest problems in the general antiques market are the mass produced synthetic reproduction pieces, such as this item, that can be mistaken for the genuine item.

Significance

The scrimshaw is a modern reproduction of a typical scrimshaw scene and engraved onto a synthetic substance. It has been created as a decorative piece and is currently displayed as a representation of the craft of scrimshaw.

Physical description

Scrimshaw carved on a non-natural material in the shape of a whale tooth. Engraving depicts a grizzly bear with two cubs next to a fallen tree.

Inscriptions & markings

None