6018

Mid-19th Century

POLYCHROME SCRIMSHAW WHALE'S TOOTH "THE PROPOSAL"

Obverse depicts a man kneeling with his hands clasped before a woman standing with her left arm raised and her right arm extended toward the man. The man's top hat rests in a small gully between the couple. Reverse with a still life of three fancy vessels. Titled by E. Norman Flayderman in Scrimshaw and Scrimshanders, Whales and Whalemen. Numbered in white ink in hollow "NH90N", probably indicating the piece was from the collection of Meylert Armstrong of Greenwich, Connecticut and New Hope, Pennsylvania.
Length 6.5".
Condition: Base cut flat. Slight age crack at base of obverse, extending approx. 1", slightly smaller crack on reverse, and other age lines. Typical age lines at tip. Wood grain-type patina, mostly on reverse.
**This item contains animal and/or plant material and is not available for international delivery without CITES and other necessary permits, licenses, and certificates. Obtaining the appropriate documentation is the sole obligation of the buyer. Eldred's is not able to assist with obtaining the appropriate documentation, and we offer no assurances that the documentation can be obtained. Please be aware of current international, domestic and your own local regulations 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:
    Presumably the Collection of Meylert Armstrong to E. Norman Flayderman. Scrimshaw authority John Rinaldi claims that when Flayderman purchased much of Armstrong's collection out of his New Hope home, Flayderman marked the items "NH", standing for "New Hope", followed by a series of numbers, as seen here.
    The Collection of Mr. and Mrs. John Miklos.

    Illustrated:
    Scrimshaw and Scrimshanders, Whales and Whalemen by E. Norman Flayderman (New Milford, Ct.: N. Flayderman & Co., Inc., 1972), p. 60.

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March 3, 2026 9:30 AM EST
East Dennis, MA, US

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