Lot 286
AMERICAN SCRIMSHAW WHALE'S TOOTH Y
MID-19TH CENTURY
Fine Furniture and Works of Art
Auction: 5 July 2017 at 11:00 BST
Description
engraved to one side with the figure of Liberty depicted with the cap of Liberty and a star and spangled shield, the reverse engraved with a portrait of a lady with a riding whip, copied from an image displayed in Harper's New Monthly Magazine, 1858, of a lady's 'Equestrian Costume'
Dimensions
13cm high
Footnote
Note: Scrimshaw artists of the 19th century regularly used both patriotic figures and images published in the popular press as sources for their work. It is thought that this depiction of Liberty was taken from the newspaper 'Gleason’s Weekly Line-of-Battle Ship', which featured this image of the goddess alongside Justice. The portrayal of the lady to the other side was taken from Harper's New Monthly Magazine; a common source used by whalemen during the 19th century. Literary and political figures, as well as fashion-plates, were also regularly depicted on whale's teeth.
Note: Please be aware that this lot contains material which may be subject to import/export restrictions, especially outside the EU, due to CITES regulations. Please note it is the buyer's sole responsibility to obtain any relevant export or import licence. For more information visit http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/imports-exports/cites/