Scrimshaw set of twenty-eight spinner dominoes

Date19th century

Object number00027329

NameDominoes

MediumWhalebone, ebony, brass

DimensionsOverall: 8 x 42 x 20 mm, 0.008 kg
Display Dimensions: 19 x 41 mm

ClassificationsToys, games and souvenirs

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Desmond Liddy

Terms

DescriptionThis set of twenty-eight spinner dominoes are made from whalebone and the dots are inlaid with ebony. The dominoes are called spinners because each piece has a projecting brass pinhead in the centre which makes it possible to spin them face down. Domino sets made of whale bone were commercially produced and commonly came from France.HistoryScrimshaw can trace its roots back to America's early whaling industry in 19th century. The craft was practiced by whale hunters who had plenty of spare time on their hands and is today one of a handful of folk art traditions that maintains a presence in contemporary craft practices. Scrimshaw is produced by engraving, carving, inlaying or assembling bone from marine mammals, including whale bone, teeth and baleen, walrus tusks and shell. Using jackknives, saws, homemade files and needles sailors would create functional everyday objects or artistic pieces etched with images of women, whaling scenes or memories of home. It is often difficult to determine exactly who and for what purpose some scrimshaw pieces were made and the majority of objects cannot be attributed to a particular artist.SignificanceThis dominoes set represents the 19th century production of functional items of scrimshaw. Although scrimshaw was usually made by sailors for recreational purposes, this unique piece was commercially manufactured.