4655

19th Century

POLYCHROME SCRIMSHAW WHALE'S TOOTH DEPICTING "THE CITY OF SALONICA"

Obverse with a finely rendered image of the city's waterfront surmounted by an American eagle with a Liberty shield at its breast and four American flags on poles in its talons. Panoramic view of the famed Greek city includes mountains and hillsides, houses, lighthouses and other buildings, and a harbor filled with several vessels, including two full-rigged ships in the foreground. Reverse depicts "Schooner Andr[...] 1851", showing the schooner leaving a fortified port. Both sides titled at base. Fancy scalloped and sawtooth border encircles base. Deep rich patina.
Length 5.75".
Condition: Minor age cracks at base.
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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:
    Meylert Armstrong, New Hope, Pennsylvania, marked in white ink in hollow of tooth "NH22004".
    E. Norman Flayderman.
    Private Rhode Island Collection.

    Illustrated:
    Scrimshaw and Scrimshanders, Whales and Whalemen by E. Norman Flayderman (New Milford, Ct.: N. Flayderman & Co., Inc., 1972), p. 65.

    Notes:
    Salonica, also known as Thessaloniki, located in the northwest corner of the Aegean Sea, is now the second-largest city in Greece. Throughout its history it has been an important port of southeastern Europe and a center of culture, commerce and transportation. Alongside Constantinople, it was a co-reigning city of the Byzantine Empire and at one time had a larger population than London.

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February 28, 2024 9:30 AM EST
East Dennis, MA, US

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