49

Mid-19th Century

WHALEBONE AND WHALE IVORY SWIFT

Whale ivory yarn cup, turned adjustment collars and a beautiful key-shaped adjustment screw with pierced heart and cross design and metal pique inlay. Turned and stepped whale ivory clamp mounted with an unengraved silvered metal plaque. Whalebone shaft and staves. As-is, needs restoration.
Length approx. 15". Cage diameter approx. 17".
Condition: Appears some bands, probably silvered metal, are missing from yarn cup and clamp, as some residue and pins/pinholes remain where they would have been. One stave broken. Cage needs to be re-tied.

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  • Provenance: A similar swift, with intact coin silver bands and metal pique inlay, was part of the Collection of Paul Vardeman, sold at Eldred's, The Marine Sale, July 25, 2019, Lot #50. The Vardeman swift was nearly identical to one attributed to Capt. James M. Clark of Rochester, Massachusetts that is part of the New Bedford Whaling Museum collection and illustrated in Scrimshaw Artists by Dr. Stuart M. Frank.

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February 24, 2022 9:30 AM EST
East Dennis, MA, US

Eldred's

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