Scrimshaw & Bone Carvings Photos

In whaling days, sailors etched the teeth of whales, making artistic & amusing objects called scrimshaw. Teeth & bones have been used for art since people lived in caves.

See also: Whales
Click photo to enlarge.
Ship engraved on whale's tooth, part of Kennedy's scrimshaw collection in JFK Library. Boston, MA

Scrimshaw etched with Independence Hall in JFK Library. Boston, MA

Ship portrayed on scrimshaw in JFK Library. Boston, MA

Scrimshaw portrait of Alexander Hamilton in JFK Library. Boston, MA

Collection of scrimshaw at Lightner Museum. St Augustine, FL

Whales-tooth scrimshaw etched with woman reading at Lightner Museum. St Augustine, FL

Scrimshaw of sailing ship on whale's tooth in Maritime Museum. Monterey, CA

Scrimshaw pie crimper in Maritime Museum. Monterey, CA

Scrimshaw etching of Victorian woman with children in Maritime Museum. Monterey, CA

Carved ivory comb used by St Bernard (15th c) in Tau Palace. Reims, France

Carved ivory volute of a cross used by Adelberon of Ardenne (10th c) in Tau Palace. Reims, France

Carved ivory religious scenes (14th c) in Tau Palace. Reims, France

Ivory model of USS Constitution, a 1797 American 44-gun frigate at Naval Academy Museum. Annapolis, MD

Ivory model of HMS Victory, a 1765 British 100-gun ship at Naval Academy Museum. Annapolis, MD

Scrimshawed whale's tooth of whale wrecking whaler at South Street Seaport Museum. New York, NY

Scrimshawed whale's tooth of chicken with sailor's head at South Street Seaport Museum. New York, NY

Engraved Nautilus Shell at South Street Seaport Museum. New York, NY

Whale harpoon & baleen at Columbia River Maritime Museum. Astoria, OR

Whales teeth scrimshaw at Columbia River Maritime Museum. Astoria, OR

Scrimshaw whalebone corset busk & plaque (1859) at Columbia River Maritime Museum. Astoria, OR

Ivory pastry crimpers & jagging wheels at Columbia River Maritime Museum. Astoria, OR

Scrimshaw cribbage boards carved from walrus tusks by Alaskan natives at Columbia River Maritime Museum. Astoria, OR

Engraved ostrich eggshell (20th C) at Columbia River Maritime Museum. Astoria, OR

Whale boat at Whalers Village, north of Lahaina. Maui, HI

Model of whaling ship in Whaling Museum at Whalers Village. Maui, HI

Scrimshaw in Whaling Museum at Whalers Village. Maui, HI


All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Jim Steinhart.
All rights reserved. Permission required to use.