Parasol handle made from Whalebone
Date19th century
Object number00006683
NameScrimshaw
MediumWhale bone
DimensionsOverall: 19 x 98 x 86 mm, 0.1 kg
ClassificationsDecorative and folk art
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionScrimshaw is keenly sought by collectors. Its variety is endless as seen in this whale bone carved into a parasol handle. Whalers passed long hours at sea creating scrimshaw carvings of functional objects and decorative pieces, which were often brought home as gifts to family and friends.HistoryScrimshaw is produced by engraving, carving, inlaying or assembling bone from marine mammals, such as whale bone, teeth and baleen or walrus tusks and shell. Using jackknives, saws, homemade files or sharp sail needles, sailors would etch images of women, whaling scenes or other memories from home.
The act of making a gift of scrimshaw helped sailors deal with 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 often away for years on end.SignificanceThis parasol handle represents the variety of scrimshaw objects that were made by whalers.
19th century
late 19th century
19th century
19th century
late 19th century
19th century
19th century