55

First Half of the 19th Century

POLYCHROME SCRIMSHAW WHALE'S TOOTH ATTRIBUTED TO MOSES DENNING, KNOWN AS "THE STARK TOOTH"

Obverse depicts a whaling scene of a whaleship, three six-man whaleboats, one of which has been stoved by a sperm whale, a flock of birds, and a waif flag in the water. Whaleship with finely rendered rigging and sails with distinct reef points. Whimsical depiction of the water, which is shaped loosely as a sperm whale but terminating in a spiral at both ends. Reverse depicts a ship off a coastal lighthouse. The ship, which has the same finely rendered rigging and sails as the one on the obverse, is flying a large American flag off the stern, a long red pennant from the mainmast, and a smaller pennant from the foremast. Stippled and crosshatched composition of the water, which also terminates in spirals. Tip encircled by a harlequin band, above which is an anchor and a looping length of rope. Harlequin and shaded bands encircle base.

Accompanied by a copy of a letter from Kristina Barbara Johnson, in which she describes the tooth as a favorite from her collection, which is why it was not offered for sale in the Sotheby's auctions in the early 1980s. The letter also relays how she purchased the tooth from Leon Stark, how she used it in lectures, on television programs and in museum exhibitions, and how she believes it to be an early example, circa 1820s. A copy of a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Johnson is also included, as is a copy of a 1998 Scrimshaw Examination Report by the Kendall Whaling Museum. In the cover letter included with the Kendall report, Stuart M. Frank, Ph.D., Director, describes it as "quite an excellent piece of authentic, antique whalemen's scrimshaw -- though, in my view, not as early ... as Barbara seems to think it is".
Length 8". Includes stand.
Condition: Scattered spots of discoloration, but generally well-preserved.
Does not sit perfectly on stand.
This item not available for international delivery.

  • Provenance:
    Antique dealer Leon Stark of Philadelphia, late 1960s.
    Barbara Johnson Whaling Collection.
    Purchased directly from Barbara Johnson by Hyland Granby Antiques, Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, June 30, 1998.
    The Collection of Ian R. MacKenzie.

    Notes:
    This tooth bears several similarities to the Moses Denning tooth seen in Ingenious Contrivances, Curiously Carved by Stuart M. Frank (Boston: David R. Godine, 2012), fig. 4.3 , including the sails and reef points on the ship, the long pennants, the flock of gulls and the overall sense of whimsy.

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August 19, 2021 9:30 AM EDT
East Dennis, MA, US

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