Scrimshaw
Collection ID:
2000.027.5
Collection:
Social history
Sperm whale tooth with whale ship and compass.
Scrimshaw is made by carving into the tooth and then rubbing a mixture of chalk and ink into the lines to make the drawing stand out. Done as a pastime by many seafaring men.
Physical attributes
Material | Cetacean tooth |
Production
Technique | Scrimshaw |