Very Rare and Important Pair of Woolworks, probably American, mid-19th century, the first depicts a brown-hulled whaleship with false gun ports hove to, with whalemen on the “cutting-in” platform stage stripping blubber and being hauled aboard. American flag flying off the gaff, and whaleboat hanging from the davits near the stern. The ocean is bright and wavy and a red sunset in the sky above the American Flag. The mate depicts a black hulled whaleship with false gun ports under full sail and a port view with three whale boats hanging from davits. The ship sits in a very wavy sea and a sunset is just above the horizon. In original rosewood frames with gilt liners.
13 ⅜ in. x 18 ½ in.
Overall 17 ¼ in. x 22 in.

Provenance: Purchased from E. Norman Flayderman and were exhibited at the Kennebunkport Maine Maritime Museum until it closed in 2004. The catalog number “KMM HM106” is printed in white ink on the top edge of each frame, Hyland Granby Antiques to present owner.

Literature: Flayderman, E. Norman, Scrimshaw and Scrimshanders, Whalers and Whalemen, New Milford, Connecticut, Published 1972, pp. 292 & 293.