Rare American Sailors Scrimshaw Narwhal Tusk Walking Cane
Epoque 1800-1900
Origine North America
Medium Narwhal, Walrus tusk
Epoque: 1800-1900
Origine: North America
Medium: Narwhal, Walrus tusk
Literature: Scrimshaw as the art of the whale-man flourished and reached its pinnacle at the hands of the American south-sea whale-men in the first half of the 19th century. The product of idle hours on endless cruising searches for the elusive leviathan, it became a unique nautical folk art. Hundreds of American whaling vessels roamed the oceans carrying thousands of sailors each of whom would probably try their hand at the art. Many came from foreign ports, from Africa to the Pacific Islands, Hawaii supplying many native ‘green hands’. Eventually the typical whaling crews became a sort of seagoing United Nations in miniature with only the officers on board American nationals.
Many examples of skilled ornamented scrimshaw were created for the sheer joy of such elaboration and as a testament to the creator’s skill. Such decorative pieces were meant to be seen and treasured, rather than used.
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