Whalebone busk with image of warship and Queen Ophelia
Date19th century
Object number00032498
NameBusk
MediumWhalebone, pigment
DimensionsOverall: 365 x 54 mm, 0.1 kg
ClassificationsDecorative and folk art
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis whale bone busk is engraved with the image of a warship and a Queen wearing a crown and lace robes. Busks were inserted into the front pocket of a women's corset to give her body shape and were commonly made as presents for sailors sweethearts. Whale bone is a light and flexible material easily accessible to whalers making scrimshaw.HistoryThe act of making a gift of scrimshaw helped a sailor ease the separation from family or loved ones. For the recipient, the scrimshaw provided something useful in the daily routine of domestic life and was a decorative reminder of the sailor.
Scrimshaw is the folk art tradition that developed on American whaling vessels in the 19th century. It provided sailors with a recreational way to pass long hours at sea creating pieces of folk art. Marine animal by-products including whale bone, teeth, baleen and walrus tusks were engraved with images of ships, women and home.SignificanceThis piece represents the production of busks as gifts for loved ones. Worn close to a woman’s heart they were a reminder of the sailor who could be away for years.
19th Century
19th century
late 19th century
late 19th century
19th century
19th century
mid 19th Century
mid 19th century
late 19th century