Rare and Important Whaleman Fine Scrimshawed Baleen, Wood, Whalebone, Whale Ivory Sewing Box, circa 1830. Half-round form with conforming hinged fabric top mounted with turned wood spool holder and pincushion. The body and lid of the box veneered with very fine visible scrimshaw depicting St. Peter’s Church, St. Paul’s Church, lighthouse, Federal building, a sidewheeler leaving port blowing heavy steam, a frigate with American flag, sails furled and home pennant, a flagpole with spouting sperm whale weathervane. All within geometric, tassel curtained and vine borders. Supported on 4 whalebone block-and-turned two-inch legs with 3 conforming drawers with baleen fronts scrimshawed with stars and tasseled curtain swags and whale ivory polyhedron pulls. The underneath in original blue paint.
Height 10 in. Width 10 in. Depth 5 in.

Provenance: Ex-collection Barbara Johnson sold Sotheby’s “The Barbara Johnson Whaling Collection: Part II” September 25, 1982, lot 468.

Exhibited: Mystic Seaport Museum

Outstanding original condition, well cared for since the 1830s (189 years). “Inherit the Tradition.”