9

THREE POLYCHROME SCRIMSHAW WHALE''S TEETH ATTRIBUTED TO THE ARCH ENGRAVER Mid-19th Century
These teeth are from the same jawbone and the scenes on them correlate with each other.

On the first tooth, the obverse depicts an American flagged whaleship, three whaleboats in the water and eight whales, three of which are in the process of being captured. Reverse depicts a whaleboat alongside a large sperm whale. The whaleman at the bow of the whaleboat is aiming to throw his harpoon. This image is a close-up view of the capture taking place at lower left of the obverse scene. Length 9.5".


On the second tooth, the obverse depicts a three-masted ship flying a long pennant from the center mast and a polychrome American flag off the stern. The reverse depicts a close-up scene of a large sperm whale just harpooned by the whaleboat drawn alongside it. This scene is the immediate aftermath of the harpooning seen on the reverse of the first tooth, and a close-up view of the capture depicted lower center on the reverse of the third tooth. Length 9.5".


On the third tooth, the obverse depicts a spread-wing eagle clutching a banner inscribed "Prosper - The Whaler". Olive branch below. The reverse depicts a whaling scene with an American flagged whaleship, four whaleboats and nine whales. One whale is waifed and three others are in the act of being captured. Length 9".


A thin arch surrounds the obverse and reverse scenes on the first tooth, the reverse of the second tooth and the reverse of the third tooth, giving name to "the Arch Engraver".


Figures 51, 50 and 49 in Through the Eyes of a Collector by Nina Hellman (2015).
Provenance: The Thomas Mittler Scrimshaw Collection.

These teeth are from the same jawbone and the scenes on them correlate with each other.

On the first tooth, the obverse depicts an American flagged whaleship, three whaleboats in the water and eight whales, three of which are in the process of being captured. Reverse depicts a whaleboat alongside a large sperm whale. The whaleman at the bow of the whaleboat is aiming to throw his harpoon. This image is a close-up view of the capture taking place at lower left of the obverse scene. Length 9.5".


On the second tooth, the obverse depicts a three-masted ship flying a long pennant from the center mast and a polychrome American flag off the stern. The reverse depicts a close-up scene of a large sperm whale just harpooned by the whaleboat drawn alongside it. This scene is the immediate aftermath of the harpooning seen on the reverse of the first tooth, and a close-up view of the capture depicted lower center on the reverse of the third tooth. Length 9.5".


On the third tooth, the obverse depicts a spread-wing eagle clutching a banner inscribed "Prosper - The Whaler". Olive branch below. The reverse depicts a whaling scene with an American flagged whaleship, four whaleboats and nine whales. One whale is waifed and three others are in the act of being captured. Length 9".


A thin arch surrounds the obverse and reverse scenes on the first tooth, the reverse of the second tooth and the reverse of the third tooth, giving name to "the Arch Engraver".


Figures 51, 50 and 49 in Through the Eyes of a Collector by Nina Hellman (2015).
Provenance: The Thomas Mittler Scrimshaw Collection.

Condition: Age cracks extend from base into images on both sides. Faint age crack below eagle. Several age cracks near tip.


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July 20, 2017 10:00 AM EDT
East Dennis, MA, US

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Bid Increments
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$50 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
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$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $29,999 $1,000
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