Whaler Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth, attributed to the Ceres A Artisan, William A. Gilpin aboard the ship Ceres of Wilmington, Delaware (1834-1837), depicting a full portrait of Lady Hope with an anchor (the symbol of sailing and sailors) and in front of a Federal shield symbolizing a patriot. Standing at shore’s edge with waves behind within a typical pinwheel frame surmounted with a square-rigged ship and arched vine pediment. The reverse with a stern view of a ship in full sail and finely rigged. Early drilled holes at the top and base suggest its use as a tabua before it was scrimshawed.
Height 7 ½ in. Width 3 in.
Reference: Stuart M. Frank, “Ingenious Contrivances, Curiously Carved: Scrimshaw in the New Bedford Whaling Museum” pg 33