115

Dated 1861

SIGNED AND DATED SCRIMSHAW WHALE'S TOOTH PERTAINING TO THE SHIP "NORTHERN LIGHT"

Obverse depicts a full-rigged ship flying an American flag and another distant ship coming head-on. In the foreground, mostly depicted on the edge of the tooth, is a whaling scene of a pod of whales, one of which is waifed, two whaleboats in pursuit, and an overturned whaleboat, with her six men and assorted gear in the water. Reverse depicts a coastal scene of a large lighthouse, buildings, and several vessels of different rigs, some of which are flying American flags. Other edge depicts a sperm whale inscribed "Ship Northern Light N.B." at center, signed "J.T." on upper fluke and dated "1861" on lower fluke. Whale executed in a unique parquet patchwork pattern, and the water on both the obverse and reverse scenes has a rope-like pattern.
Length 6.75".
Condition: Base cut flat, with an approx. .75" age crack on both obverse and reverse. No other significant wear or damages noted.

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  • Provenance:
    Rafael Osona Auctions, Nantucket, Massachusetts, August 7, 2004, Lot #186G.
    The Collection of Michael Gill.

    Notes:
    According to the WhalingHistory.org database, the ship
    Northern Light was built in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts in 1851. She made several voyages out of New Bedford from 1851 to 1881 and was lost in 1898. On an 1861 to 1862 voyage, her master was Jacob Taber, possibly the "J.T." signature seen here. Taber made another voyage aboard the Northern Light from 1863 to 1864, as well as seven other voyages on other vessels.

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

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