Historical information

This whale tooth was etched out and finished by Gary Tonkin for Michael Taffe at a demonstration by the artist in 1980. It represents a whaling ship, the Charles. W. Morgan from Mystic Seaport in the USA. The Charles W. Morgan has been at the historic port since1941, and was declared a USA National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. Tonkin is today internationally recognised as the greatest living scrimshander.

Significance

Scrimshaw is associated with mariners in the whaling trade especially in the 19th century.
This work is also Nationally significant for being created by world-renowned Scrimshander, Gary Tonkin, from Albany, Western Australia.

Inscriptions & markings

Charles. W. Morgan etched beneath the etched image of ship with artist's signature below.