Levi Edmonds (b. 1813 Southbridge, MA) Trident Horn Grease Cup, 19th century, the horn grease cup held and protected needles while the sails were being made or repaired. Holding square or triangular pointed needles for sailmaking or larger ones for sewing a rope to the edge of a sail, the container was attached to the seaman’s belt for easy access. Its inner bottom contained either a dollop of wax or oil-soaked wadding to keep the needles in place and to prevent the ends from rusting.
Reference: McManus: Treasury of American Scrimshaw.
Height 7 ½ in. Diameter 3 ¾ in.
Provenance: Thomas A. Gray Scrimshaw Collection