4112

Mid-19th Century

PAIR OF SCRIMSHAW WHALE'S TEETH WITH BRITISH AND NAPOLEONIC MOTIFS

Obverse of one tooth depicts "Royal Navy Forever" over a scene of a distant ship and a couple with their arms linked, the man raising a chalice and the woman holding a kerchief and a bottle of wine. Other tooth depicts "Englands Glory" over a lion's mask, a ship and a figure of "Hope" holding a British flag on pole and resting her elbow on a fouled anchor. Figure identified in a diamond-shaped medallion at base. Both scenes with acanthus leaf borders. Reverse of one tooth depicts "Longwood New House St. H. Na" above a view of the house and its grounds. Other tooth depicts crossed French flags above "Napoleons. Tomb Helena. 1836.", identified in a diamond-shaped medallion at base. Both teeth with lion's masks and deeply carved swag borders at tips, the swags containing and suspending acanthus leaves, medallions and lion's masks. Shaded borders at bases with diamond-shaped medallions, some vacant, some with acanthus leaves and some with lettering.
Lengths 5".
Condition: Bases cut flat. Both with typical age lines. One with unobtrusive gouge, possibly done in the making. Generally well-preserved.
**This item is not available for international delivery. Please be aware of your local regulations regarding the sale of marine mammal parts and bid accordingly. **


The absence of a condition report does not imply an object is free of defects. All items may have normal signs of age and wear commensurate with their age; these issues will likely not be mentioned in the condition report. Please contact Eldred's before the auction with any condition questions. Questions about condition will not be answered after purchase. Condition reports are provided as a courtesy, and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Important note on frames: Frames are not guaranteed to be in the same condition as they are in the item photograph. Due to handling and shipping, many frames, especially antique ones, are prone to losses. If you have questions about the condition of a frame, please contact us prior to the auction. 

  • Provenance: Notes:
    A similar pair by the same hand was part of the Kobacker Scrimshaw Collection, sold at Eldred's, The Marine Sale, July 19, 2018, Lot #42. Both pairs depict St. Helena, where Napoleon spent six years in exile before his death in 1821. The British governor of the island, Sir Hudson Lowe, agreed to build a new Longwood House in 1820, to replace the inhospitable old Longwood House, but Napoleon died before construction was completed. Napoleon was buried on St. Helena but his remains were moved to France in 1840.

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February 28, 2023 9:30 AM EST
East Dennis, MA, US

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