6026

Circa 1835

SCRIMSHAW WHALE'S TOOTH ATTRIBUTED TO CERES ARTISAN JOHN CLELAND, JR. OR WILLIAM H. MEYERS

Depicts a sailor and his lady on a knoll, with two ships sailing in the distance. Scene framed within a decorative border topped with a proscenium arch of vines containing a ship portrait.
Length 6.25".
Condition: Base cut flat. Typical age lines at tip. Naturally occurring uneven patina, including the darker spots on the sailor's chest and streaks at his thighs. Reverse undecorated.
**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:
    The Collection of Mr. and Mrs. John Miklos.

    Illustrated:
    Wandering Whalemen and Their Art: A Collection of Scrimshaw Masterpieces by Alan Granby (Hyannis Port, Mass.:, 2021), p. 59, fig. 3.25.

    Notes:
    Experts believe there was a group of at least four whalemen aboard the ship
    Ceres during an 1834-1837 voyage that produced a body of scrimshaw with distinct stylistic similarities, most notably a layout that incorporates a border and a proscenium arch, and the inclusion of a "Jack Tar" figure. William A. Gilpin is considered the master scrimshander of the group and he, along with shipmate Edmond M. Chandler, signed some of their work. The other two artists were John Cleland, Jr. and William H. Meyers. Cleland was identified by ink drawings of Jack Tars in his shipboard journal, though it is thought Meyers may have been the one to have actually made the drawings in Cleland's journal.

Shipping Options

Invaluable Shipping

  • Expert Care packing and Shipping
  • Shipment Protection
  • Real-time tracking

Arrange your own

  • You will coordinate with us to arrange your own shipping

Local pickup

  • You will coordinate with us and arrange pick up time after payment.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

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

Eldred's

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $499,999:
26.00%
$500,000+:
10.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $49 $5
$50 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000