19th Century Scrimshaw
Leading Maritime Arts Specialist & Scrimshaw Expert
Combining passion and the insights sharpened by decades as a leading maritime arts specialist, with solid network of relationships among leading 19th century scrimshaw aficionados, Rafael Osona regularly uncovers absolutely stunning treasures in the field.
Seeking 19th Century Scrimshaw
Osona Auctions is a leader in the sale of 19th century scrimshaw. Rafael Osona has offered prized Frederick Myrick Susan’s teeth, as well as engravers such as W.L. Roderick, the Britannia Engraver, the Locket Engraver, the Pagoda Artisan, Ceres B artisan tooth, a pair of banknote engraver teeth, seagull tooth, pie crimpers, swifts, baskets, ditty boxes, private walking stick collections, busks and the likes; as well as Prisoner-of-War ship models, Spinning Jennies and game boxes, Rafael Osona Auctions consistently delivers the best material available to the most discerning collectors.
The Wealthiest Town in America
The 18th and 19th century whaling and ship building industries positioned the island of Nantucket’s stature amid the gritty work of whaling. She became the wealthiest town in America, and her reach was global, spanning the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Africa.
Long Journeys & Idyll Hours
Onboard the whale ships, necessity inspired refinements to whaling instruments and navigational tools. Sailors crafted both useful and decorative items as gifts for their loved ones at home, and during voyages, which often lasted several years, captains and crew alike collected artifacts; proofs in their home port tellings of adventure and foreign cultures.
Collections Osona has Represented
Carol and Stephen Memishian ~ August 6, 2016
William Boylhart ~ August 3, 2013
William Coffin ~ August 8, 2004
Fred Gardner ~ August 16, 1997
Bill Dinges ~ August 16, 1997
Barbara Johnson ~ August 14, 1993 & Aug 13, 1994
Walter Beineke ~ August 4, 1990
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Scrimshaw Whale Tooth “The Audley Clarke of Newport, Rhode Island”
Fine Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth “The Audley Clarke of Newport, Rhode Island“, circa 1840s, a starboard view of a cutting in scene with red polychrome, deck hands, ship on the horizon with legend “Audley, Clarke. New, Port, RI.” On February 15, 1849 as gold rush fever spread in California, 75 Newporters sailed on the old whaler Audley Clark under Capt. Ayrault Wanton Dennis. After 198 days the ship pulled into San Francisco Bay. Audley Clarke was immediately deserted and floundered in litigation concerning ownership and customs matters. Most passengers stayed out west or embarked on a voyage to Australia’s Gold Rush.
Audley Clarke (1770-1844)
Length 8 3/4 in. Width 3 1/2 in.
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Rare Whaler Made Whale Ivory Fid, circa 1840-50
Rare Whaler Made Whale Ivory Fid, circa 1840-50, finely executed manrope grip with baleen spacer and tusk tip. The base of the grip is constructed to mimic the tip.
Length 14 in.
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Whaleman Made Inlaid Tropical Wood and Whale Ivory Grip Walking Stick, circa 1850
Whaleman Made Inlaid Tropical Wood and Whale Ivory Grip Walking Stick, circa 1850, shaft inlaid with mother of pearl hearts, diamonds and navettes ending in a whale ivory ferrule.
Length 34 ¼ in.
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Large Scrimshaw “Thieves Reward” Whale Tooth, mid 19th Century
Large Scrimshaw “Thieves Reward” Whale Tooth, mid 19th Century, engraved on both sides, the obverse with a sailor from the rear reaching into a long coat hanging on a peg by the door with the caption “Thieves.” The verso depicts the same sailor hanging from a noose with the caption “Reward” at the base.
Height 8 ¼ in.
Provenance: Sold Rafael Osona Auctions “The Barbara Johnson Collection of Scrimshaw & Whaling Artifacts”, August 14, 1993, lot 184, pg 35, to the present owner. Original 1993 catalog accompanies this lot.
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Two Bone Whales Inner Ears, 19th Century
Two Bone Whales Inner Ears, 19th Century.
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Rare Large Size Wood and Whale Ivory Puzzle Box, early 19th Century
Rare Large Size Wood and Whale Ivory Puzzle Box, early 19th Century, purportedly from the Coffin family of Nantucket. The sliding and swiveling top pinned together by a polished whale ivory cabochon button and painted with initials B.M.C.
Height 2 ¾ in. Length 9 ½ in. Width 5 ¼ in.
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Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth, circa 1840
Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth, circa 1840, yellow patina, the recto depicts two whale ships (one cutting-in) on a pod of whales with 2 boats out and 9 whales, vertical waves; the verso with an aggressive eagle in flight clutching the American flag, above 2 ships on the ocean, “E. Pluribus Unum” engraved above.
Length 5 ½ in. Width 2 ½ in.
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Whaler Made Whale Ivory and Tropical Wood Barber’s Pole Walking Stick, circa 1840
Whaler Made Whale Ivory and Tropical Wood Barber’s Pole Walking Stick, circa 1840, ivory carved clenched fist with exaggerated shirt cuff on a tapering shaft consisting of 41 alternating sections of ivory and wood.
Length 34 ½ in.
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Whaler Made Inlaid Whale Ivory and Whalebone Walking Stick, circa 1840
Whaler Made Inlaid Whale Ivory and Whalebone Walking Stick, circa 1840, very sophisticated carved ivory right hand with shirt cuff with abalone button grasping a ball and half-round and diamond abalone inlays, on a deeply fluted tapering shaft transitioning to a plain section ending in a brass ferrule.
Length 35 ½ in.
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Whaler Made Inlaid Whale Ivory and Whalebone Walking Stick, circa 1840
Whaler Made Inlaid Whale Ivory and Whalebone Walking Stick, circa 1840, very sophisticated carved ivory right hand holding a ball on an octagonal tapering to round shaft, inlaid with diamonds, hearts, dots and arrows of tortoiseshell, abalone, mother of pearl, silver and wax.
Length 36 in.
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Whaler Made Whale Ivory Sea Horse Double Wheel Pie Crimper, circa 1850
Whaler Made Whale Ivory Sea Horse Pie Crimper, circa 1850, a very finely carved double zigzag wheel pinned to a single piece of ivory spoke, graduating to a shaped and hollow grip.
Length 6 in.
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American Patriotic Whaleman Scrimshawed and Polychrome Sperm Whale Tooth
SOLD FOR $60,000
American Patriotic Whaleman Scrimshawed and Polychrome Sperm Whale Tooth, circa 1845, the image encompasses most of the tooth with a young lady holding a chair back, wearing a laurel wreath and elaborate and elegant long dress, above an American Federal shield flanked by foliage.
Height 6 ½ in. -
Whaleman Made Abalone, Whalebone and Whale Ivory Scrimshaw And Polychromed Presentation Keepsake Box, circa 1830-1850
SOLD FOR $22,800
Whaleman Made Abalone, Whalebone and Whale Ivory Scrimshaw And Polychromed Presentation Keepsake Box, circa 1830-1850, a spectacular feat in maritime design and inlay work. The rectangular hinged box totally trimmed in whalebone, the top has an ivory scrimshawed plaque engraved with a spread winged eagle clutching arrows and laurel with banner in beak and budding vine border, sawtooth and star frame. Mother-of-pearl quarter-fans at the corners, diamonds and 8 various designed pinwheels and more. The front and sides have a 2-tier mother of pearl inlaid curtain swag and drop border with dots and stars above a sunburst center flanked by robust cornucopias. Each side with whale ivory posts and ring handles flanked by stars and teardrop wheels. All with saw-tooth base trim supported on four whale ivory turned feet. The reverse inlaid with mother of pearl dots, teardrops and diamonds, 6-point star flanked by 2 American shields with 4-polychromed flags – American, British and others. The underneath pine box trimmed in whalebone straps.
Height 6 in. Width 11 ½ in. Depth 7 ¾ in. -
Large Whaleman Scrimshawed Polychrome Busk, circa 1850
SOLD FOR $4,800
Large Whaleman Scrimshawed Polychrome Busk, circa 1850, the triple arched crest with a willow tree above two American flags and shield with a ring of stars within a curtain swag; the next section depicts a flowering urn on a pedestal above a fine 3 ½ story building with steeples and clock tower with weather-vane, flanked by flowering branches; the bottom section with chevron design above an 8-point star.
Length 15 ¾ in. -
Exceptional and Fine Carved Whale Ivory Pie Crimper, Circa 1850-1860
SOLD FOR $9,000
Exceptional and Fine Carved Whale Ivory Pie Crimper, circa 1850-1860, the large crimper in three sections, all from the same sperm whale tooth. The solid zigzag wheel pinned to a pierced and hollowed grip and silver pinned large stylized feather finial with scroll-work and geometric design throughout.
Length 9 in. -
Large Whale Ivory and Whalebone Walking Stick, circa 1850
SOLD FOR $7,200
Large Whale Ivory and Whalebone Walking Stick, circa 1850, a well defined ivory fist grip and collar clenching a scrimshawed serpent twice through the palm and around the wrist. The collar and ivory section divided by two copper spacers, one carved with a series of octagonal disks, reeding and cross-hatching; the tapering shaft with fine and deep hatch-work above a rounded ring above a rope carving with worm-line, ending in a 4 ¼” ferrule capped in pewter.
Length 34 ¾ in. -
Very Fine Architectural Whale Ivory and Whalebone Inlaid Walking Stick
SOLD FOR $21,600
Very Fine Architectural Whale Ivory and Whalebone Inlaid Walking Stick, circa 1855, the smooth ball grip inlaid with an abalone dot, the lower section reeded, both halves are separated by an octagonal wafer, all carved of a single piece of ivory; the bone shaft starts with a small octagonal section with tortoiseshell diamonds and mother of pearl panels above an architectural section with four reeded columns with a unique addition of a baleen rope carved interior post and cathedral-like open windows on all four sides as capitals inlaid with silver squares; the next section having 56 tortoiseshell, baleen & abalone inlays on carved octagonal panels with reeding. The lower section is a tapering and reeded to a ring then a smooth tapering end.
Length 34 ½ in. -
Whale Ivory, Whalebone and Silver Swift
SOLD FOR $11,400
***This item will appear in our August 5th Addendum***
Whale Ivory, Whalebone and Silver Swift, mid 19th century, the very large turned ivory cup finial, table clamp and cage studded with silver and initials E.T.B, whalebone shaft and 13 ½ inch ribs supported by a fine left clenched fist clamp; accompanied by a fitted box of dovetailed construction with turned and wax filled scribed line feet, side and top knobs, four wood inlaid hearts, twelve diamonds, four ¼-inch rounds and a five-point star.Swift Height 21 ½ in. Box Height 6 in. Length 22 ½ in. Width 4 ½ in.
Provenance: Sold Rafael Osona Auctions as part of the William Coffin Collection, 2004.
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Whaleman Made 3-Wheel Whale Ivory Pie Crimper
SOLD FOR $5,400
Whaleman Made 3-Wheel Whale Ivory Pie Crimper, circa 1850, a thick ivory stylized leaf-form grip inlaid with mother-of-pearl and abalone flower on both sides; the mid-section divided by square baleen spacers with two small solid zigzag wheels, the upper yoke section holds a solid zigzag wheel.
Length 8 in. -
Whaleman Made Scrimshaw Chambered Nautilus Display Case Stand
SOLD FOR $30,000
Whaleman Made Scrimshaw Chambered Nautilus Display Case Stand, circa 1850, in two parts, fashioned of dovetailed ebony and inlaid with ivory and mother of pearl dot and diamond borders, 6 three-section ivory columns with carved capitals, baleen spacers, 7 very fine turned finials, the upper two-tier section with rare shell specimens above a 6 column display of a two mirrored halves of the chambered nautilus shell, a unique feature of the piece is the side pull out inlayed framed protection glass to expose the nautilus shells.
Height 16 in. Width 15 in. Depth 4 ½ in.A note affixed to the reverse of the case states: “This chambered nautilus scrimshaw case was made for Nora Clara Barton around 1850 while on a trip around the world on her father’s whaling ship. Over fifty nautiluses were cut before this perfect specimen was obtained. The shells in the top section were collected in Cuba by Janet Auty Easterbrooks and installed in 1926. The animals were collected and added by PBE Jr. in 1926.”
Note: A similar Nautilus Shell Stand is in the collection of the New Bedford Whaling Museum, collection number 2001.100.666
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Whaleman Made Watch Tower
SOLD FOR $11,400
Whaleman Made Watch Tower, circa 1850, the hold and face plate of whalebone surmounted with an ivory dome with tortoise inlays and silver stars and three removable scrolled spikes, flanked by a full pair of antique sperm whale teeth with a silver stave and tortoise inlaid base step, all on a cut corner rectangular tortoise shell base with silver plaques. The edge of whalebone and inlaid tortoise plaques on ivory ball feet.
Height 8 in. Width 8 ⅞ in. Depth 4 in.Note: A watch tower by the same hand is illustrated page 213 of E. Norman Flayderman’s Scrimshaw and Scrimshander, Whales and Whalemen.
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Whale Ivory and Leather Walking Stick & Ivory and Whalebone Walking Stick
SOLD FOR $3,600
Whale Ivory and Leather Walking Stick, circa 1870, well defined and carved clenched fist holding a rod above a spool, reeded twist and rings on a tapering leather shaft and brass ferrule.
Length 35 in.SOLD FOR $6,600
Whaleman Carved Ivory and Whalebone Walking Stick, circa 1850, ivory domed and paneled knob grip with silver dot inlays and scribe lines, whalebone paneled and scribed section above deeply reeded and tapering shaft ending in a 4 ¼ in. ferrule.
Length 34 ½ in. -
Whaleman Carved Whale Ivory & Wood Walking Stick and Whale Ivory and Whalebone Cane
SOLD FOR $1,800
Whaleman Carved Whale Ivory and Malacca Wood Walking Stick, circa 1870, ivory knob grip above a carved bas relief perched eagle on a stars and stripes shield, foliate engraved gold filled band on a tapering Malacca shaft ending in a 2 ½ inch horn ferrule.
Length 35 in.SOLD FOR $7,800
Whaleman Carved Whale Ivory and Whalebone Cane, circa 1870, ivory carved and scrimshaw grip of an eagle head and neck on a whalebone shaft carved with rope twist tapering to a reverse twist.
Length 30 in. -
Lady’s Walking Stick & Whale Ivory, Whalebone, Mother-of-Pearl, Abalone, Tortoiseshell and Baleen Walking Stick
SOLD FOR $9,600
Whaleman Carved Whale Ivory and Whalebone Lady’s Walking Stick, circa 1850, the upper third comprised of four carved ivory sections, the grip a Turk’s turban above a crosshatched section, above a section of five openwork twisted columns above a twist section, all spaced with blonde baleen rings with silver diamond, the bone shaft reeded and twisted rope to a smooth, ending in a 2 inch ivory ferrule with ball tip.
Length 33 ¾ in.SOLD FOR $33,000
Fine Whaleman Carved Whale Ivory, Whalebone, Mother-of-Pearl, Abalone, Tortoiseshell and Baleen Walking Stick, circa 1840, polyhedron ivory grip with tortoiseshell inlaid squares, dots, circles and heart, three baleen spacers on a well inlaid bone shaft of geometric shapes, dots, lattice and swags, ending in a graduating turned taper.
Length 33 in. -
Whaleman Carved Walrus Ivory and Abalone Competition Seven-Wheel Pie Crimper
SOLD FOR $10,800
Whaleman Carved Walrus Ivory and Abalone Competition Seven-Wheel Pie Crimper, circa 1870, the handle inlaid with abalone diamonds and dots on each side with sawtooth carved edge and applied fork, one end with two zigzag wheels: one small solid and one with open heart spokes riveted to stylized bird yokes; the opposite side with four small zigzag wheels and crosshatch carved yokes and a larger open heart spoke zigzag wheel. Length 8 ¼ in. -
Whaleman Carved and Pierced Whalebone Knitting Basket, circa 1860
SOLD FOR $18,000
Whaleman Carved and Pierced Whalebone Knitting Basket, circa 1860, oval form comprised of 28 pierced and shaped staves flaring out and up supported by half-round upper band and lower scalloped band, tacked to a conforming pine bottom.
Height 4 ¾ in. Length 9 ½ in. Width 7 ½ in. -
Whaleman Carved Whale Ivory and Whalebone Presentation Walking Stick & Whale Ivory and Whalebone Pointer
SOLD FOR $7,200
Whaleman Carved Whale Ivory and Whalebone Presentation Walking Stick, circa 1850, very finely scribed whale ivory knob with 20 concentric circles, with a silver gilt collar on a paneled and turned tapering shaft inscribed, “Presented to John Dunham By Captain G. H. Kempton.”
Length 33 ¼ in.Note: G. H. Kempton is recorded as Master of the ship Orphan, sailing between New York and Le Havre, France (1856) and of the bark Clyde, between New York and Mobile Alabama (1851). Source: Carl Cutler, The Story of America’s Mail and Passenger Sailing Lines, Annapolis, MD, US Naval Institute, 1961.
SOLD FOR $1,200
Whaleman Carved Whale Ivory and Whalebone Pointer, 19th century, the tapering whalebone shaft with spiraling worm-line carving, baleen spacers, ivory tip and ring-collared whale ivory bulbous grip.
Length 22 in. -
Whaleman Carved Whale Ivory, Whalebone and Wood Walking Sticks
SOLD FOR $5,400
Fine Whaleman Carved Whale Ivory and Wood Clenched Fist with Serpent Walking Stick, circa 1860, right hand grasping the head of a serpent as it is coiled twice around the wrist with a petal shirt cuff, ebony and ivory spacers on a wood shaft, the upper section paneled with ivory and ebony panels and four ivory dots and four tortoiseshell diamonds, the lower section turned and tapering to a two inch ivory ferrule.
Length 34 ¼ in.SOLD FOR $5,400
Whaleman Carved Whale Ivory, Whalebone and Rosewood Walking Stick, circa 1860, large paneled and carved ivory grip with baleen spacers, the upper section of the shaft comprised of 13 graduating and contrasting octagonal sections of ivory and rosewood, the lower section of turned and tapering whalebone.
Length 35 in. -
Fantastic Large Size Polychrome, Stippled and Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth, circa 1840
SOLD FOR $48,000
Fantastic Large Size Polychrome, Stippled and Scrimshawed Sperm Whale Tooth, circa 1840-1860, a portside view portrait of an American bark in full sail flying colors and pennant, a mermaid with headdress, long flowing hair holding an arrow tied to a banner “Let Sailors Be Obedient When Men of Worth Command”; the reverse vertical scene of an “Inn” with twin chimneys and picket fence above an iron arbor surrounded by leaf stalks with kissing birds above the word “Love”; the tips with four decorative wraparound borders and the base with two decorative wraparound borders. This skillful engraver with his design and execution was able to minimize the slight deformity of the tooth.
Height 7 ¾ in. -
Fine Polychrome Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth by William Sizer
SOLD FOR $14,400
Fine Polychrome Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth by William Sizer (American 1801-1840), circa 1835, a three-quarter portrait of a well-dressed fashionable lady, within an oval sawtooth cameo and leaf-line secondary border; mounted on a cut and shaped silver base.
Height 6 in.Sizer was born in Chester, Massachusetts and was the grandson of a Revolutionary War captain of Franco-Azorean descent from Middletown, Connecticut. More than a dozen known teeth are attributed to Sizer. He was a crew-member of the brig Juno (1839-1840) out of New Bedford, he died at sea in 1840 and is buried in Tahiti.
Reference: Frank, Stuart M., Ingenious Contrivances, Curiously Carved, published 2012, pg. 25. -
Large Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth by the Locket Engraver
SOLD FOR $10,200
Large Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth by the Locket Engraver, circa 1840, a young girl with long curls and deep dark eyes intensely focused on her cameo necklace, the reverse depicts an off the starboard stern view of the Constitution, flying colors on the open seas with “Constitution” in script under the choppy water. Length 6 ½ in.The Locket Artisan is an anonymous hand, active in the early 1840s. Fine lines and dark pigments characterize his work.
Reference: Frank, Stuart M., Ingenious Contrivances, Curiously Carved, published 2012, pg. 89. -
Early Fine Scrimshaw Lower Panbone Pictorial Plaque
SOLD FOR $10,200
Early Fine Scrimshaw Lower Panbone Pictorial Plaque, circa 1830, whaleman executed, depicting a three-tier American gun ship anchored off a headland with fortress, an unexecuted information plaque on the upper left (a place for the recipient, giver, port-of-call, ship, etc.), lower vignette of two American barks portside views in full sail, all encompassed in diamond and arc borders; strong ink contrast. 7 ¼ in. x 7 ½ in.Literature: Flayderman, E. Norman, Scrimshaw and Scrimshanders – Whales and Whalemen, New Milford, Connecticut, Published 1972, pp. 217.
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Fine Nantucket Whaleman Made Whale Ivory and Whalebone Swift
SOLD FOR $5,400
Fine Nantucket Whaleman Made Whale Ivory and Whalebone Swift, circa 1860, the ivory finial cup, standard, support clamp and base scribed and polychromed in red, green and black. Supported on a large finely rendered clenched fist table clamp with an abalone diamond inlay. The single 8 inch whalebone cage extending from a whale ivory support sliding on a partial whale ivory and whalebone shaft.
Height 16 in. -
Whaleman Carved Whale Ivory and Whalebone Walking Sticks
SOLD FOR $6,600
Whaleman Carved Whale Ivory and Whalebone Walking Stick, circa 1850, carved ivory clenched fist with scrimshawed shirt line, three tropical wood and two ivory spacers on a tapering worm-line rope whalebone shaft, ending in a metal ferrule.
Length 37 ½ in.SOLD FOR $6,000
Whaleman Carved All Whalebone Walking Stick, circa 1850, octagonal carved knob grip on a conforming band and section, metal collar above five scribe rings, with a rope twisted section flanked by two thirteen-paneled rings and wafers, over an octagonal shaft tapering to smooth, ending in a metal ferrule.
Length 33 ¾ in. -
Rare Whaleman Carved and Painted Whale Ivory and Whalebone Walking Stick
SOLD FOR $8,400
Rare Whaleman Carved and Painted Whale Ivory and Whalebone Walking Stick, circa 1850, carved whale ivory spotted serpent coiling downward on itself, on a barber pole painted tapering whalebone shaft, ending in a copper ferrule.
Length 34 ½ in. -
Extraordinary Whaleman Carved Whale Ivory and Whalebone Walking Stick
SOLD FOR $56,400
Extraordinary Whaleman Carved Whale Ivory and Whalebone Walking Stick, circa 1840, finely carved ivory hand grasping a stippled snake about to strike with cut copper fangs, leather eyes, red polychrome mouth wrapped around the wrist and forearm, baleen spacer, on an octagonal paneled tapering to smooth whalebone shaft.
Length 34 ¼ in. -
Fine Pair of Scrimshaw Whale’s Teeth, 3rd Quarter of the 19th Century
SOLD FOR $10,800
Fine Pair of Scrimshaw Whale’s Teeth, 3rd quarter of the 19th century, engraved and inked with images evoking a narrative of joy and sadness commingled, a handsome young couple on their wedding day, an open bible, a mother and child and an urn flanked by weeping cherubs beneath a willow.
Height 5 in. -
Nantucket Whalebone, Whale Ivory and Wood Swift, circa 1850
SOLD FOR $18,000
Nantucket Whalebone, Whale Ivory and Wood Swift, circa 1850, from the famed Carpenter collection; multi-turned upper section with red scribe wax lines on a whalebone shaft and a matching turned ivory adjustment slide and knob, on a two-tiered shaped round ebony and mahogany base, supported by 12 turned ivory posts and feet, the central shaft protruding through both wood disks and secured by a hand carved whalebone thumb twist nut. The cage is constructed of 144 whalebone ribs.
Height 22 ¾ in. Diamter of base 7 in.Provenance: Mary Grace & Charles H. Carpenter Collection
Hyland Granby Antiques to Present OwnerLiterature: Carpenter, Jr., Chares H. and Mary Grace Carpenter, “The Decorative Arts and Crafts of Nantucket, New York: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1987, Pl. 1 facing page 115
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Whale Ivory and Whalebone Clenched Fist Walking Stick, circa 1850
SOLD FOR $21,600
Whale Ivory and Whalebone Clenched Fist Walking Stick, circa 1850, the top ⅓ of the stick carved in four sections of whale ivory, the grip of a right hand clench fist with incised fingernails and buttoned shirt cuff, elongated diamond section above very finely carved cross hatching, above a zigzag reeded section. All the sections defined by octagonal baleen spacers within faceted band and thin rings, the lower portion of the tapering whalebone shaft carved with a triple line coiled around an octagonal section above a finely carved rope section above a round tapering section.
Length 42 ¼ in.Provenance: Hyland Granby Antiques to Private Collector
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American Wood and Scrimshaw Whalebone Cutlery Box With Drawer
SOLD FOR $6,000
American Wood and Scrimshaw Whalebone Cutlery Box With Drawer, circa 1870, the central divider with three finger rolls flanked by hearts, the tray box decorated with scrimshawed whalebone inserted edge panels and side case arrows, the whalebone scrimshawed and cockbeaded drawer with turned whale ivory knob.
Height 6 ½ in. Length 13 ½ in. Depth 7 ¾ in. -
Whale Ivory and Whalebone Figural Walking Stick, circa 1870
SOLD FOR $19,200
Whale Ivory and Whalebone Figural Walking Stick, circa 1870, carved ivory sailor grip, with hat, long hair, sideburns, in shoe dress, leaning on a tree stump holding his pipe, on a round tapering whalebone and ivory shaft with four baleen spacers.
Length 36 in. -
19th Century Whalebone, Whale Ivory and Baleen Canes and Walking Stick
SOLD FOR $6,600
19th Century Whalebone, Whale Ivory, Baleen and Silver Cane, circa 1860-1880, ivory carved eagle head with silver and baleen eyes, baleen spacer with ivory C-shaped grip on a tapering whalebone shaft. Length 34 ½ in.SOLD FOR $3,600
19th Century Whalebone, Whale Ivory and South Sea Island Wood Serpent Walking Stick, circa 1850, the whale ivory grip is in the form of a looped serpent with inlaid ebony eyes, seven alternating spacers of South Sea island wood and whale ivory followed by a tapered whalebone shaft. Length 33 ¾ in.Provenance: Hyland Granby Antiques to Private Collector
SOLD FOR $1,800
19th Century Whalebone Whale Ivory and Baleen Snake Cane, circa 1860, an ivory serpentine L-shaped snake grip above an ivory section flanked by baleen spacers, on a turned whalebone shaft. Length 33 ¼ in. -
Polychrome Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth by the Britannia Engraver (1816-1830)
SOLD FOR $46,200
Polychrome Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth by the Britannia Engraver (1816-1830)
of The Ship “Elizabeth of London,” deeply carved, engraved and inked with red polychrome highlights, the obverse depicts a very active whaling scene with seven whales, one with attached waif, manned whaleboats and a capsized whaleboat. Inscribed beneath in scrip “Elizabeth of London”; the reverse with the same starboard broadside view of a full-rigged ship underway, under plain sail flying a British merchant ensign and “cutting-in” a sperm whale. The tip with foliate wreaths, the base with double lines and dots.
Length 6 in. Width at Base 2 in. -
Edward Burdett Scrimshaw “Pacific of Nantucket” Whale Tooth
SOLD FOR $252,000
An exceedingly rare and historically important Nantucket scrimshaw sperm whale tooth signed in cursive at the cut edge “Made.By.Edward.Burdett”. The obverse engraved with a starboard view of the “Pacific” under sail; the reverse with a port view of the “Pacific” under reduced sail and cutting in a blanket of blubber with a whale alongside, which is a rarer occurrence on the port side; the top edge with a foliate border and “Pacific of Nantucket” engraved on the lower edge in cursive between the scenes, a leaf vine border surrounds the base.
Length 4 ¾ in. Width at base 2 ¾ in.Edward Burdett the earliest known American whaleman artisan was born on Nantucket in 1805. The legendary “islander” joined the historic Nantucket whaling industry and his work’s date from the mid-1820s to 1833, he died at sea in 1833. This “Pacific of Nantucket” tooth is the only known example of Edward Burdett’s work to have descended in the family. It was likely a gift from Burdett to his sister Nancy Burdett Davis.
Provenance: From the artist’s sister, Nancy Burdett Davis (b. 1808) to her daughter Sarah B. Cordiss (b. 1830) directly descended in the family to a private collector. Sold again in 2013 to the current private collector.
Literature: Refer to Stuart M. Frank & Joshua Basseches 1991 monograph “Edward Burdett, 1805-1833 America’s First Master Scrimshaw Artist” for further details on this whaleman artist.
Exhibited: Nantucket Whaling Museum, Scrimshaw Gallery June-July 2005, commemorating the opening of the newly renovated museum.
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Sailor Made Nantucket Pierced Panbone Swing Handle Oval Basket
SOLD FOR $22,800
Sailor Made Nantucket Pierced Panbone Swing Handle Oval Basket, circa 1840, cherry bottom wrapped with panbone having interlocking circles with arches and spikes, handle attached with a rivet, a fine example of 19th C. Scrimshaw
Height 2 ¼ in. Length 6 ½ in Width 4 ¾ in.A similar basket by the same hand and similar size sold at Rafael Osona’s Auctions on August 1, 2009, lot 98.
Provenance: The Estate of Georgia P. Gosnell, Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, Sold Rafael Osona Auctions August 1, 2015; Private Collector
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Sailor Made Scrimshaw Panbone Oval Inlaid Ditty Box
SOLD FOR $10,800
Sailor Made Scrimshaw Panbone Oval Inlaid Ditty Box, circa 1830, the lid inlaid with rosewood star within an ivory and wood wreath and wrapped in panbone, the base wrapped with a single piece of panbone and joined with 3 finger laps.
Height 3 in. Length 8 ¼ in. Width 6 in.Provenance: The Estate of Georgia P. Gosnell, Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, Sold Rafael Osona Auctions August 1, 2015; Private Collector
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19th C. American Sailor Scrimshaw Panbone Section Plaque
SOLD FOR $5,400
19th C. American Sailor Scrimshaw Panbone Section Plaque, circa 1840, a two-tier pictorial of two fully rigged ships on the open sea above a large portrait of a similar merchant ship approaching l and within a faint double line border. mounted in a custom reeded frame with gilt stars in each corner.
6 in. x 7 ½ in. -
19th C. American Sailor Scrimshaw Whale Tooth
SOLD FOR $7,200
19th C. American Sailor Scrimshaw Whale Tooth, circa 1840, engraved throughout with an American fully rigged ship above the seal of the United States and an eagle holding a “Liberty ~ Constitution” banner in its beak, above a gentleman’s portrait flanked by cornucopias and American flags; the verso with a single leaf flower above a whaler cutting in and two whalers, whale and two whaleboats on the water. Sawtooth borders at the base of the tooth; Between the scenes is a sailing ship with her stunsail set sailing toward the viewer above a spouting sperm whale, the outer tooth’s edge with a foliate vine.
Height 5 ½ in. -
Highly Important and Desirable Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth, attributed to T. L. Albro
SOLD FOR $102,000
Highly Important and Desirable Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth, circa 1838, attributed to the master scrimshander T. L. Albro. Deeply engraved one one side with at detailed whale ship cutting in with a whale alongside, whalemen on deck and on crow’s next exclaiming “there she blows,” interrupting the phrase “View of Cutting a Sperm Whale” — “A Whale Spout” above the horizon with spout on waterline. To the left of the stern is a mountain range and ships in the distance. Above is engraved “Eoua Isl.,” and latitude and longitude and a sun with a face. The reverse engraved with a ship in full sail and a figure in the crow’s nest. The phrase “View of a Sperm Whale just harpooned – Ship John Coggeshall of Newport, RI” above an active whaling scene of whale and three long boats, a spout on the horizon. On the bottom edge of the tooth between the scenes is a fine full portrait of a sperm whale with a double fluke harpoon and the phrase, “A Large Sperm Whale Will Make 100lbs Oil.”
Length 7 ¾ in. -
19th Century Sailor Carved Whale Ivory and Whalebone Walking Sticks
SOLD FOR $10,200
Sailor Carved Whale Ivory Fist Walking Stick, 19th century, a massive detailed carved fist atop a hardwood shaft inlaid with alternating whale ivory and baleen triangles at the collar, and two abalone dot inlays below.
Length 41 ¼ in.Provenance: The Howland Family of New Bedford
SOLD FOR $7,200
Sailor Carved Whale Ivory and Whalebone Architectural Walking Stick, mid 19th century, octagonal shaped grip with red sealing wax circular inlay at the top, the shaft carved of a single piece of whalebone.
Length 37 ¾ in.Provenance: The Howland Family of New Bedford
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Two 19th Century Sailor Scrimshaw Whalebone Corset Busks
SOLD FOR $480
Sailor Scrimshaw Whalebone Corset Busk, mid 19th Century, inscribed and inked in black with geometric motifs and jardinière issuing blossoming vine centering script initials “B.K.W.” Length 14 ½ in.
Provenance: Ex-E. Ham Collection, Nantucket
Sam Sylvia, Nantucket, MAThe Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th C. Scrimshaw Collection -
19th Century Ivory Pie Crimper Handle of Dove Form
SOLD FOR $3,960
Ivory Pie Crimper Handle of Dove Form, 19th century, elegantly stylized emblem of love, with brass rivets, lacks jagging wheel.
Length 5 ½ in. -
19th Century Carved and Turned Whalebone and Satinwood Clock Stand,
SOLD FOR $2,400
Carved and Turned Whalebone and Satinwood Clock Stand, 19th century, rectangular with scalloped apron on turned legs.
Height 3 in. Length 14 ¼ in. Width 7 ¼ in.Provenance: Rafael Osona Auctions, Nantucket, MA 14 August 1993 Lot 46
Ex-Barbara Johnson Collection
The Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th Century Scrimshaw Collection -
Extremely Rare and Fine 19th Century “Map Tooth” Sailor Scrimshaw Whale Tooth
SOLD FOR $48,000
Extremely Rare and Fine “Map Tooth” Sailor Scrimshaw Whale Tooth, American, mid 19th century, delicately incised in exquisite detail with map and chart of New Bedford Harbor, Buzzards Bay and the Elizabeth Islands, depicted center is a whaling ship’s return to port, showing its plotted course verso with an action filled whaling scene, a ship and four boats (one stove) hunt amidst a pod of whales spewing red-inked blood.
Length 7 ½ in.Provenance: Nina Hellman, Nantucket, MA
The Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th Century Scrimshaw CollectionLiterature: Illustrated p. 2 and 60 of : E. Norman Flayderman, Scrimshaw and Scrimshanders, New Milford, CT, 1972.
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19th Century Scrimshaw Decorated Mahogany and Mother-of-Pearl Parquetry Box
SOLD FOR $1,800
Scrimshaw Decorated Mahogany and Mother-of-Pearl Parquetry Box, 19th century, rectangular with hinged top, inlaid with baleen, whalebone and abalone motifs and stringing overall, the front centered by a scrimshanded whale ivory plaquette engraved and inked in red and black with “Triumph of Love”. Height 4 ¾ in. Length 12 in. Width 8 ¼ in.
Provenance: Rafael Osona Auctions, Nantucket, MA 19 August 1995 Lot 69
The Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th Century Scrimshaw Collection -
Rare 19th Century Nantucket Whale Ivory and Whalebone Swift
SOLD FOR $2,400
Rare Nantucket Whale Ivory and Whalebone Swift, mid 19th century, ribbon tied ivory staves on turned ivory standard with cup finial, whalebone shaft and ivory clamp with two screw peg fasteners, mounted to a modern rosewood stand. Overall Height 12 in. Diameter of Base 5 in.
Provenance: The Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th C. Scrimshaw Collection -
19th Century Walrus Ivory Pie Crimper
SOLD FOR $2,500
Walrus Ivory Pie Crimper, 19th century, with tortoiseshell inlaid handle, three-tine fork and five baleen spacers.
Length 8 in.Provenance: Paul Madden, Sandwich, MA
The Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th C. Scrimshaw Collection -
19th Century Whale Ivory Pie Crimper
SOLD FOR $3,900
Whale Ivory Pie Crimper, 19th century, fluted shaft, stepped square wheel mount and terminal with abalone inlaid dot, delicate wheel. Length 6 in.
Provenance: Nina Hellman, Nantucket, MA
The Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th C. Scrimshaw Collection -
19th Century Architectural Whale Ivory Pie Crimper
SOLD FOR $7,200
Architectural Whale Ivory Pie Crimper, 19th century, polyhedron terminal with abalone inlay and pivoting ring handle.
Length 6 ¾ in.Provenance: Rafael Osona Auctions, Nantucket, MA 7 August 1999, Lot 275
The Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th C. Scrimshaw Collection -
19th Century Whale Ivory Pie Crimper
SOLD FOR $600
Whale Ivory Pie Crimper, 19th century, crown terminal, half round handle pierced with two hearts and a lozenge.
Length 6 ½ in.Provenance: Rafael Osona Auctions, Nantucket, MA 16 August 1997, Lot 19
The Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th C. Scrimshaw Collection -
19th Century Fist and Cuff and Grasping Hand Whale Ivory and Whalebone Canes
SOLD FOR $3,120
Fist and Cuff Whale Ivory and Rosewood Cane, 19th century, carved ivory finial, baleen separator, octagonal tapering upper shaft with alternate ivory and rosewood sections, transitioning into a circular rosewood lower shaft, with ivory tip.
Length 36 ¼ in.
Provenance: Rafael Osona Auction, Nantucket, MA 07 August 1993SOLD FOR $1,200
Grasping Hand Whale Ivory and Whalebone Cane, 19th century, rivet fastened knob carved as a right hand gripping a baton detailed with a five pointed and six pointed star at opposite ends, tapered octagonal upper shaft with three baleen separators and a plaited baleen collar, whalebone shaft tapers to round, lacks metal tip.
Length 32 ¾ in.
Provenance: Sotheby’s New York 17 June 2004Both Canes from the Carol and Stephen Memishian 19th C. Scrimshaw Collection
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19th Century Inuit Carved Walrus Ivory Shaman Chain
SOLD FOR $3,300
Inuit Carved Walrus Ivory Shaman Chain, Northwest Alaska, mid to late 19th century, comprising 32 links, the first carved to resemble a whale’s head and the last a tail, all carved from a single walrus tusk, on contemporary stand.
Length 32 in.
Note: Chains like this were used as charms by native Alaskan whalers and were often seen attached to baleen cups made to give whales their first drink of water after being caught, a common ritual practice in the coastal Alaskan areas which relied heavily on whaling. -
Pair of Mid-19th Century “Banknote Engraver” Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Teeth
SOLD FOR $48,000
Pair of Mid-19th Century “Banknote Engraver” Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Teeth, incised and inked recto with framed oval reserves of lovely young women, verso with harbor scenes, one depicting two three-masted ships anchored before a town, the other shows an American ship entering a foreign port, the national flags inked in blue and red.
Length 6 ¾ in.Provenance:
Nina Hellman, Nantucket, MAThe Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th C. Scrimshaw Collection -
“Banknote Engraver” Scrimshaw Whale Tooth
SOLD FOR $6,600
“Banknote Engraver” Scrimshaw Whale Tooth, circa 1840, large broad tooth, recto with a portrait of a pensive lady seated at a table with an open book wearing a formal dress with puffed sleeves, curly hair and a pair of bracelets, within an elaborate oval geometric frame, an engraved foliate garland encircles the tooth’s tip, a geometric and foliate engraving encircles the base, verso with a simple floral bouquet.
Height 6 ½ in. -
19th Century Sailor Scrimshaw Polychrome Sperm Whale Tooth
SOLD FOR $4,500
19th Century Sailor Scrimshaw Polychrome Sperm Whale Tooth, circa 1830-1850, French war ship with cannons at the lighthouse, the verso with sailor pointing and holding a saber by an American Flag standing on a castellated rampart.
Height 7 ¾ in.Provenance: Rafael Osona Auctions, 1997, Lot 408
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Sailor’s Folk Art Toy Whalebone Mounted Wheelbarrow, mid 19th Century
SOLD FOR $5,400
Sailor’s Folk Art Toy Whalebone Mounted Wheelbarrow, mid 19th century, shaped oak box on frame with carved whalebone braces, cleats, and ferrules, iron bound wheel with mahogany spokes inserting into turned whalebone hub, brass axles held by whalebone sockets.
Height 9 ¼ in. Length 31 in. Width 14 ½ in.Exhibitions: Smithsonian Institute,
Mystic Seaport MuseumProvenance:
Barbara Johnson Collection,
Sotheby’s September 25, 1982
Catalog lot 533Rafael Osona Auctions August 7, 1999
Catalog lot 144The Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th C. Scrimshaw Collection -
Whalebone Inlaid Rosewood Cutlery Box
SOLD FOR $3,600
Whalebone Inlaid Rosewood Cutlery Box, 19th century, of rectangular form with carrying handle flanked by two hinged covers, inlaid with eating utensils and opening over a tapered case.
Height 17 ¾ in. Length 15 in. Width 10 ¼ in.Provenance:
Rafael Osona Auctions
August 19, 1995, Lot 75The Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th C. Scrimshaw Collection -
19th Century Whale Ivory and Whalebone Swift
SOLD FOR $1,440
19th Century Whale Ivory and Whalebone Swift, turned and scribed cup, pan and ring above a single bone cage on a bone shaft. The clenched fist clamp carved from a single whale’s tooth, the support ring and screw knob with red scribe lines.
Overall Length 17 in. Length of Staves 10 in.Provenance:
Sam Sylvia, Nantucket, MAThe Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th C. Scrimshaw Collection -
19th Century Nantucket Whale Ivory and Whalebone Swift
SOLD FOR $4,800
19th Century Nantucket Whale Ivory and Whalebone Swift, turned spire top cup finial above a single bone cage with ivory and bone shaft supported on a multi-turned and polychromed ivory section and clamp.
Overall Length 20 ¾ in. Length of Staves 8 ¼ in.Provenance:
Paul Madden, Sandwich, MAThe Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th C. Scrimshaw Collection -
Large Fine “Fanny Campbell” Scrimshaw Whale Tooth
SOLD FOR $18,000
Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth Depicting “Fanny Campbell The Female Pirate Captain“, American, 19th century, Engraved and inked in polychrome, the celebrated corsair is portrayed in plumed hat, waisted coat over pantaloons, two pistols in her belt, a cutlass in her right hand and a skull & crossbones flag in her left, the verso depicts an American frigate, all further embellished with leafy branches above and below.
Height 8 ½ in.
Note: The image of Fanny Campbell is based on the cover illustration of the book of the same name, published Boston, 1845, a boxed copy of “Fanny Campbell, The Female Pirate Captain” accompanies this lot.Provenance:
Nina Hellman, Nantucket, MAThe Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th C. Scrimshaw Collection -
19th Century Sailor Made Whale Ivory and Baleen “Garden of Eden” Pie Crimper
SOLD FOR $6,600
Sailor Made Whale Ivory and Baleen “Garden of Eden” Pie Crimper, 19th century, serpent handle, star centered zigzag jagging wheel, and with the unusual addition of a pastry template intaglio carved with head on leafy stem (recto) and tulip (verso).
Length 7 ½ in. Width 4 ½ in.Note: Apparently carved from a single tooth, though interrupted by separators.
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19th Century Sailor Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth
SOLD FOR $2,400
Sailor Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth, 19th century, recto stipple engraved with a fashionable beauty beside a fountain of classical inspiration, attended by a flying dove, all below a blossoming rose, verso with an American frigate, a Federal eagle above, on a wood stand.
Length 6 ½ in.Provenance:
Nina Hellman, Nantucket, MAThe Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th C. Scrimshaw Collection -
19th Century Sailor Scrimshaw Polychrome and Rivet Decorated Whalebone Busk
SOLD FOR $600
Sailor Scrimshaw Polychrome and Rivet Decorated Whalebone Busk, American, 19th century, engraved with a Federal eagle spread winged above initials “A. H.”, a frigate and the Boston State House, within copper rivet border and heart and star motifs, respectively, at the ends.
Length 12 ½ in. Width 2 ¼ in.Provenance:
Nina Hellman, Nantucket, MassachusettsThe Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th C. Scrimshaw Collection -
19th Century Pair of Sailor Scrimshaw Polychrome Sperm Whale Teeth
SOLD FOR $3,900
Pair of Sailor Scrimshaw Polychrome Sperm Whale Teeth, 19th century, each engraved recto with a large bird atop a tree stump, amidst luxuriant leafy branches, her companion flies overhead, verso swan swims on placid water, flanked by overreaching slender trees, mounted together on a rectangular wood plinth.
Length 6 ¼ in. and 6 ½ in.Provenance:
The Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th C. Scrimshaw Collection -
19th Century Sailor Made Walrus Ivory Pie Crimper
SOLD FOR $6,600
Sailor Made Walrus Ivory Pie Crimper, 19th century, pierce carved handle with red wax stringing, two-tine fork, Greek key edged wheel centered by a mariner’s star.
Length 10 ¼ in.Provenance:
Nina Hellman, Nantucket, MassachusettsThe Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th C. Scrimshaw Collection -
19th Century Pair of Sailor Scrimshaw Polychrome Sperm Whale Teeth
SOLD FOR $30,000
Pair of Sailor Scrimshaw Polychrome Sperm Whale Teeth, 19th century, engraved with a French and a British frigate, respectively, each beneath a crescent moon and three mariner’s stars, on rosewood stands.
Length 4 ½ in. and 4 ¼ in.Provenance:
Paul Madden, Sandwich, Massachusetts
Barbara Johnson (Vol. IV, lot 106, 16 Dec. 1983)
Purported found on Martha’s VineyardThe Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th C. Scrimshaw CollectionExhibited:
Smithsonian Institution
U.S. Capitol Building -
Exceedingly Rare and Sophisticated 19th Century Polychrome Scrimshaw Walrus Ivory and Baleen Busk
SOLD FOR $51,000
Exceedingly Rare and Sophisticated Polychrome Scrimshaw Walrus Ivory and Baleen Busk, mid 19th century, finely executed by a highly skilled artisan, the double arched top scribed with amatory motifs (torch, bow and arrows, billing doves) and conjoined hearts inlay of baleen above four engraved pictorial registers depicting a British warship between two fashionable beauties and flower filled urn, engraved overall with stylized floral garlands. The baleen verso engraved with five registers, viz., a fashionable beauty centering depictions of warships and flower filled urns.
Length 14 ½ in. Width 1 ¾ in.Provenance:
Skinner, Bolton, MA 06 February, 1994 Lot 56The Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th C. Scrimshaw Collection -
19th Century Nantucket Caldwell Family Whalebone and Whale Ivory Swift
SOLD FOR $4,800
Nantucket Caldwell Family Whalebone and Whale Ivory Swift, mid 19th century, turned and scribed steeple top carved of a single tooth above a ruffle, tortoise diamond collar, multi-piece ivory shaft with baleen and tortoiseshell inlays, two further tortoiseshell diamond collars, an unusual whale ivory clamp of double stylized fluke form with tortoiseshell inlay and polyhedron screw, and terminating in a turned grip. The double whalebone cage with multi-color silk ribbon ties, copper rivets and with parallel scribe lines.
Overall Length 25 in. Length of Staves 10 in.Provenance: Sam Sylvia, Nantucket
The Carol and Stephen Memishian
19th C. Scrimshaw Collection -
19th C. Sailor Made Whalebone and Baleen Swift on Mahogany Sewing Stand
Fine 19th Century Sailor Made Whalebone and Baleen Swift on Mahogany Three-Tier Sewing Stand with four thread openings and two drawers
Height 18 ½ in.Sold for $7,475.00
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Fancy Sailor Made Inlaid and Polychrome Scrimshaw Swift, circa 1850
Fancy Sailor Made Inlaid and Polychromed Double Scrimshaw Swift, circa 1850, known as the Baroque swift, one of 3 by this hand to date. The 2nd in a private collection and the 3rd at the New Bedford Whaling Museum and illustrated on page 278-279 in Stuart Frank’s “Ingenious Contrivances, Curiously Carved Scrimshaw in the New Bedford Whaling Museum”. Among the three, this swift is the only one with dot inlaid ribs. The top turned finial unscrews to accommodate a wood ball to rest on the cup, whale ivory clasp, cup finial. Original green stained fitted box.
Sold for $57,120.00
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Sailor Made Scrimshaw Oval Panbone Ditty Box, circa 1830
Sailor Made Scrimshaw Panbone Oval Ditty Box, circa 1830,
pine top and bottom, both wrapped in panbone, the box with 2 long gooseneck laps. Wraparound polychrome engraving of a budding floral vine.
Height 2 ¾ in. x 5 ¼ in. x 4 in.Sold for $13,090.00
Provenance: The Nantucket Estate of Georgia P. Gosnell
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Sailor Made Scrimshaw Panbone Oval Inlaid Ditty Box, circa 1830
Sailor Made Scrimshaw Panbone Oval Inlaid Ditty Box, circa 1830,
Honduras mahogany top inlaid with an ivory oval surrounded by 2 bands of baleen and ivory diamonds and wrapped in panbone with 2 circular laps. The box wrapped in a single piece of panbone joined by 4 lollipops, spikes and cut out circles with copper rivets. Height 2 ¾ in. x 7 in. x 5 ¼ in.Sold for $11,900
Provenance: The Nantucket Estate of Georgia P. Gosnell
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Sailor Made Scrimshaw Panbone Oval Inlaid Ditty Box, circa 1830
Sailor Made Scrimshaw Panbone Oval Inlaid Ditty Box, circa 1830,
the lid with inlaid rosewood star within an ivory and wood wreath and wrapped in panbone, the base wrapped with a single piece of panbone and joined with 3 finger laps.
Height 3 in. x 8 ¼ in. x 6 in.Sold for $11,900
Provenance: The Nantucket Estate of Georgia P. Gosnell
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Sailor Made Scrimshaw Panbone Oval Inlaid Ditty Box, circa 1830
Sailor Made Scrimshaw Panbone Oval Inlaid Ditty Box, circa 1830,
multiwood wood star and diamond inlaid top with two finger laps ending in lollipop ends, the box with pine base and 5 finger laps.
Height 2 ½ in. x 7 in. x 5 ¼ in.Sold for $13,090.00
Provenance: The Nantucket Estate of Georgia P. Gosnell
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Sailor Made Scrimshaw Panbone Oval Ditty Box, circa 1840
Sailor Made Scrimshaw Panbone Oval Ditty Box, circa 1840,
the wood cover inlaid with 66 pieces of mother of pearl, ivory, 5 types of tropical woods and wrapped with panbone. The box wrapped with a single piece of panbone joined by 5 scalloped laps.
Height 4 in. x 8 in. x 6 in.Sold for $14,280.00
Provenance: The Nantucket Estate of Georgia P. Gosnell
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Sailor Made Scrimshaw Panbone Ditty Box, circa 1840
Sailor Made Scrimshaw Panbone Ditty Box, circa 1840,
oval form with tropical woods inlaid top with conforming engraved panbone band of squares within line borders. The engraved panbone body depicts a brig under sail, expansive cathedral, Greek style structure with trees and a church. Height 5 ½ in. x 9 ½ in. x 7 ¼ in.Sold for $35,700.00
Provenance: The Nantucket Estate of Georgia P. Gosnell
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Sailor Made Scrimshaw Panbone Oval Basket, circa 1840
Sailor Made Scrimshaw Panbone Oval Basket, circa 1840,
pine bottom wrapped with a single piece of panbone, carved with two rows of interlocking circles and a scalloped rim and a stationary handle.
Height 3 in. x 6 ¾ in. x 5 ¼ in.Sold for $9,520.00
Provenance: The Nantucket Estate of Georgia P. Gosnell
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Sailor Made Scrimshaw Panbone Swing Handle Basket, circa 1830
Sailor Made Scrimshaw Panbone Swing Handle Basket, circa 1830,
pine oval bottom wrapped with a single piece of panbone, carved with interlocking circles and dot arched rim, the swing bone handle carved in diamonds, circles and dots attached by rivets. The handle is scrimshawed with initials “D.M.P.” , a fine example of 19th C. Scrimshaw
Height 2 ½ in. x 8 in. x 5 ¼ in.Sold for $9,520.00
Provenance: The Nantucket Estate of Georgia P. Gosnell
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Sailor Made Nantucket Scrimshaw Panbone Oval Covered Box, circa 1840
Sailor Made Nantucket Pierced Panbone Oval Covered Box, circa 1840, mahogany top with an interlocking circle panbone band on a conforming box of a single piece of bone having arches, diamonds, triangles, half rounds, spikes and interlocking circles. Note: the base was never riveted to the box as is with all the other baskets and boxes of this style. The elaborate carved rim, which is concealed when covered, leads us to believe this was designed for multi-purpose use, a fine example of 19th C. Scrimshaw.
Height 4 ½ in. x 10 ¼ in. x 7 in.Sold for $10,115.00
Provenance: The Nantucket Estate of Georgia P. Gosnell
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Sailor Made Nantucket Scrimshaw Panbone Basket, circa 1840
Sailor Made Nantucket Pierced Panbone Swing Handle Oval Basket, circa 1840,
cherry bottom wrapped with panbone having interlocking circles with arches and spikes, handle attached with a rivet, a fine example of 19th C. Scrimshaw
Height 2 ¼ in. x 6 ½ in x 4 ¾ in.Sold for $15,470.00
A similar basket by the same hand and similar size sold at Rafael Osona’s Auctions on August 1, 2009, lot 98.
Provenance: The Nantucket Estate of Georgia P. Gosnell
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Sailor Made Nantucket Scrimshaw Panbone Swing Handle Basket, circa 1850
Sailor Made Nantucket Pierced Panbone Swing Handle Oval Basket, circa 1850,
pine wood bottom wrapped with a single piece of panbone, cut with interlocking circles and dots and swing handle attached by rivet, a fine example 19th C. Scrimshaw.
Height 4 in. x 10 ¼ in. x 6 ½ in.Sold for $17,850.00
Provenance: The Nantucket Estate of Georgia P. Gosnell
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Very Fine American Polychromed Busk, Exceptionally Large Whalebone Pie Crimper
Very Fine American Polychromed Busk, circa 1830, seven panels and initials “L.C.S”, all within a contrasting block boarder depicting a full portrait of a lady with apron, child on a swing, mermaid, American flag and eagle, a blooming flower pot, square rigged ship, trees. Length 12 in. Sold for $5,220.00
Exceptionally Large Whalebone Pie Crimper, circa 1870, carved of a solid piece of bone with turned handle and flat square wafers ending in a polyhedron knob, and 3” zigzag wheel. Total Length 11 in. Sold for $9,860.00
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Scrimshaw Whalebone Busk, circa 1840
Engraved with town scenes, sailor and wife, dog, stars and ships. Length 14 in. Provenance: William Boylhart Collection.
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Sailor Made Whale Ivory Inlaid Walking Stick, Sailor Made Whale Ivory and Wood Inlaid Walking Stick, Sailor Made Wood and Ivory Walking Stick circa 1870
Sailor Made Whale Ivory Inlaid Walking Stick, circa 1860, ivory knob grip on an upper shaft of 24 ivory and baleen sections and additional spade and dot inlays, the lower tropical wood shaft ending in an ivory ferrule. Length 36 ¼ in. Sold for $3,627.00
Sailor Made Whale Ivory and Wood Inlaid Walking Stick, circa 1860, turned ivory mushroom grip with abalone disk inlay on a rosewood shaft with 24 ivory diamond inlays. Length 34 in. Sold for $3,393.00
Sailor Made Wood and Ivory Walking Stick circa 1870, rosewood paneled bulb grip with silver inlaid top on a carved and polychrome ring, 9-sections of varying woods and ivory on a wood shaft with bone ferrule. Length 38 ¼ in. Sold for $2,457.00
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Important Carved And Inlaid Whale Ivory And Whalebone Walking Stick, Circa 1830
SOLD FOR $71,920.00 August 6, 2011. A carved Ivory Fist Clenching a snake coiled about the hand and wrist, with inlaid eyes and extended forked tongue; above carved and chamfered tortoise shell inlaid long panels, the octagonal whalebone shaft inlaid about half way down with abalone, mother of pearl, tortoise shell and wax with seven baleen spacers. A Captain’s walking stick by the same hand, from the Barbara Johnson Collection, sold in the Osona Auction Room, August 13, 1994 Lot #147, setting a world record at the time of $49,000.
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Miniature Prisoner-of-War Bone Ship Model, circa 1800-1810
Planked and pinned hull, 16 brass guns, horse hair and textile rigging, planked bone base with lattice gallery. Model: Height 10 in. Length 11 in. Width 4 in. Case: Height 12 in. Length 15 ½ in. Width 8 in.
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Napoleonic Prisoner-of-War Bone Ship Model, circa 1811
A small model of a 78 gun ship-of-the-line, planked and pinned hull with baleen wales, bone gun carriages, polychrome and finely carved stern on a carved wood base with bone turned parts and nails and glass dome case. Model Height 10 in. Length 11 in. Depth 3 ½ in.
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Whale Ivory and Whalebone Swift, circa 1830
Delicate turned ivory cup above a large single whalebone cage with an animal head open mouth clamp and carved reclining dog on back side and fine clenched fist nut. Height 17 in. Provenance: Descended in the Swain Family to the Present Owner.
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Nantucket Whale Ivory, Bone, Silver, Tortoise and Wood Swift, circa 1830
Tiger wood shaft supports a simple single bone reeded cage. The cup inlaid with silver dots delicately turned throughout with tortoise rings. The barrel form clamp of turned ivory inlaid with a sawtooth border of tortoise, dot inlays of silver and abalone with blank nameplate. Height 17 ½ in. Provenance: Descended in the Swain Family to Present Owner.
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Rare Whale Ivory And Whalebone Swift On Stand, Circa 1850
Carved and turned ivory cup, fittings and base, with bone shaft and 160 reeded staves and the outer cage with additional dot and line piercing at each end with carved flame tips, supported on a hexagonal shaped and stepped wood base. Height 17 ½ in.
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Fine Whalebone Inlaid Ditty box, circa 1840
The lid inlaid with abalone and ivory hearts and diamonds and stars.
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Exceptionally Rare And Unique “Sarah Coffin” Whalebone Ruler, circa 1819
The length of which is covered with pin scrimshaw work of animals, houses, plants, ships, sperm whale, anchor, and heart; 28 expressions in all. Length 35 ¾ in.
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Exquisite Fine Whalebone and Wood Knitting Basket, circa 1850
Forty-eight matched cut, pierced, and shaped bone ribs, crossed and flaring up from a star inlaid circular wood base, banded by whalebone rings and two whalebone bands. Height 5 ½ in. Diameter 10 in.
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Rare Nantucket Pierced Whalebone Swing Handle Basket, circa 1850
Pine oval bottom with a conforming interlocking circles basket carved from a single piece of pan-bone and a swing handle attached with rivets. Height 3 in. Width 4 in. Length 7 ¼ in.
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Nantucket Whale Ivory, Tortoise, Abalone and Wood Spool Caddy, circa 1838
Silver stud inlay and red wax scribe lines, once belonged to or was carved by Reuben Chase, Nantucket, Master Mariner, October 16, 1838. Accompanied by original bill of sale. Height 5 ½ in.
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Sailor Made Inlaid Knife Tray, circa 1840
28 inlays of whale ivory, 343 inlays of light and dark hardwoods; the front and rear have inlaid ivory knives and forks with ebony handles; the center has hearts and initials “E.C.” in red sealing wax; the reverse has 2 whale harpoons and 2 inlaid knives. Provenance: Norman Flayderman Collection, Illustrated Pg. 208 in Scrimshaw and Scrimshanders, William Boylhart Collection.
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Exceptional Polychromed Whalebone Corset busk, circa 1840 “Whaling Grounds”
Length 13 ½ in.
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Polychromed Engraved Portrait of a Full-Rugged Ship on Starboard Tack with Sails set on Calm Blue Tinted Sea, circa 1830s
Engraved from a piece of panbone with applied gold painted theatre columns and the initials H.M in the sky. Sold for
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Polychromed Scrimshawed Courting Whale Tooth, circa 1840
Seated couple in an estate garden with lamb in foreground, cupid with arrow looking on, family of birds with their nest. Height 7 in.
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Sailor Carved Whale Ivory and Bone Peace Walking Stick, circa 1860
Carved ivory bird grip on a bone shaft with scrimshawed lines simulating sections. L 32 ¾ in.
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Pair of Polychrome Scrimshaw Walrus Tusks, circa 1860
Engraved on both sides, four full length portraits of women in elaborate formal gowns. The reverse with four full-length portraits of fancily dressed women and four children also in fancy dress on burled bases. Tusks H 19 ½ in.
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Rare Nantucket Whale Ivory and Whalebone Swift, 1835
Carved whale ivory butterfly thumb screw clamp and finely turned standard and cup, red wax inlaid vine, 4 stars, and Mary W. Coffin, 1835.
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Frederick Myrick Scrimshawed Susan’s Tooth, February the 8th, 1829
“The ship Susan of Nantucket” within a banner above the whale ship Susan cutting in and raising the blanket, 3 longboats and 3 whales. A spread winged eagle within a vine clutching arrows and branch wearing a shield and “E. Pluribus Unum” banner in beak. The reverse with eagle in flight with banner “The Susan on her homeward bound passage” above the whale ship Susan approaching a lighthouse in full sail and calm water. The tip of the tooth engraved with two American crossed flags and “UNION”, on reverse an anchor and “HOPE” above a continuous rope band wit the engraving “Engraved by Frederick Myrick on board ship Susan February the 8th 1829”. The base with a continuous wraparound braided vine boarder. The phrase “Death to the living long life to the killers Success to sailor’s wives & greasy luck to whalers”. Length 6 ¼ in. Provenance: The Sara Jo and Art Kobacker Collection Sold for $139,200.00 August 4, 2012
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Fine Nantucket Whale Ivory And Whalebone Double Swift On Box, circa 1840
Pin cushion cup with engraved polychrome leaf vine above turned ivory sections supporting a double bone cage rising from a two-tier octagonal star inlaid cherry and ebony box with 4 small drawers and 8 turned ivory pillars on a molded base with wood feet. Height 18 ½ in. Provenance: Fred Gardner Collection.
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Large Polychromed French Prisoner-of-War Bone Spinning Jenny, circa 1809
9 figures, 2 dogs on 2 straw parquetry platforms. Spinning Jenny, violinist and 3 dancing figures, elaborate spoke wheels, gears and carriages. Made at the Norman Cross Depot. Height 7 in. width 4 ½ in. Depth 2 ½ in. Provenance: The Sara Jo and Art Kobacker Collection
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French Prisoner-of-War Bone Model, circa 1800
A fine large model of a 116-retractable gun ship with an elaborate carved stern and Roman soldier figurehead. The hull and mounting board are constructed with pinned planks. Provenance: collection of Sara Jo and Art Kobacker; Clive Gomshall-Lloyd Collection, Illustration #93 The Lloyd Collection of Napoleonic Prisoner of War Artifacts, Pbl 1986. Height 28 in. Length 36 in.
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