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Maori / Oceanic Rib Bone Scrimshaw, C 1880
Sold by Curious Antiques
sold SA849872
Sorry, but this item has been sold.

Curious Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jun 2015
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Maori / Oceanic Rib Bone Scrimshaw, C 1880

19th century
Sold 23 July 2025 · Curious Antiques
This “Maori / Oceanic Rib Bone Scrimshaw, C 1880” found a buyer.

It was listed by Curious Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Description

Unusual 19th century Maori/Oceanic curved rib (or similar) bone scrimshaw,c1880. The bone is profusely decorated with every inch covered in lizards/crocodiles, snakes, symbols, including what looks like a calendar or large checkerboard? Even the edges have incised decoration - it is beautiful! It has aged well with good colour/patina and overall condition is good with no obvious defects. Please refer to the detailed photographs and feel free to contact me with any questions or if you would like to view the item.

Price includes FREE UK delivery. I will happily ship Worldwide.

Size: 42cm long (into the curve) x 5cm wide x 0.5cm thick.

Date of Manufacture

Curious Antiques has dated this Maori Whale Bone Scrimshaw to the 19th Century.

Physical Dimensions
Height
42cm (16.54")
Width
5cm (1.97")
Depth
0.5cm (0.20")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA849872
Dealers Notes

Curious Antiques specialises in sourcing fine, rare and unusual antiques and curiosities. We are passionate about customer satisfaction and will do all we can to ensure you are happy and in the unlikely event you are not offer a no questions asked returns policy. We accept payment via paypal, bank transfer, cheque and cash.

Description
Unusual 19th century Maori/Oceanic curved rib (or similar) bone scrimshaw,c1880. The bone is profusely decorated with every inch covered in lizards/crocodiles, snakes, symbols, including what looks like a calendar or large checkerboard? Even the edges have incised decoration - it is beautiful! It has aged well with good colour/patina and overall condition is good with no obvious defects.
“
Please refer to the detailed photographs and feel free to contact me with any questions or if you would like to view the item.
Curious Antiques

Price includes FREE UK delivery. I will happily ship Worldwide.

Size: 42cm long (into the curve) x 5cm wide x 0.5cm thick.

Date of Manufacture

Curious Antiques has dated this Maori Whale Bone Scrimshaw to the 19th Century.

Height
42cm (16.54")
Width
5cm (1.97")
Depth
0.5cm (0.20")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA849872
Curious Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jun 2015
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Curious Antiques Profile Page

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An antique curved whale bone scrimshaw featuring intricate geometric incisions and animal motifs across its surface. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 12
Archive I An antique curved whale bone scrimshaw featuring intricate geometric incisions and animal motifs across its surface. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Maori / Oceanic Rib Bone Scrimshaw, C 1880

Archive II An antique curved whale bone scrimshaw featuring intricate geometric incisions and animal motifs across its surface. View II
Archive III An antique curved whale bone scrimshaw featuring intricate geometric incisions and animal motifs across its surface. View III
Archive IV An antique curved whale bone scrimshaw featuring intricate geometric incisions and animal motifs across its surface. View IV
Archive V An antique curved whale bone scrimshaw featuring intricate geometric incisions and animal motifs across its surface. View V
Archive VI An antique curved whale bone scrimshaw featuring intricate geometric incisions and animal motifs across its surface. View VI
Archive VII An antique curved whale bone scrimshaw featuring intricate geometric incisions and animal motifs across its surface. View VII
Archive VIII An antique curved whale bone scrimshaw featuring intricate geometric incisions and animal motifs across its surface. View VIII
Archive IX An antique curved whale bone scrimshaw featuring intricate geometric incisions and animal motifs across its surface. View IX
Archive X An antique curved whale bone scrimshaw featuring intricate geometric incisions and animal motifs across its surface. View X
Archive XI An antique curved whale bone scrimshaw featuring intricate geometric incisions and animal motifs across its surface. View XI
Archive XII An antique curved whale bone scrimshaw featuring intricate geometric incisions and animal motifs across its surface. View XII
Enlarged Archival View

Curious Antiques
Telephone 07795 237 189
Location
Curious Antiques
Timeline Antiques Centre
Midland Road
North Walsham
Norfolk
NR28 9JR
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/curious
Verified Since Jun 2015
Items For Sale 139
Items Sold 374
Curious Antiques
Verified Since Jun 2015
View Dealer Info
Location: Curious Antiques, Timeline Antiques Centre, Midland Road, North Walsham, Norfolk, NR28 9JR, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/curious
Verified
Jun 2015
For Sale
139
Sold
374
An antique curved whale bone scrimshaw featuring intricate geometric incisions and animal motifs across its surface.
Maori / Oceanic Rib Bone Scrimshaw, c 1880
Ref: SA849872
An antique curved whale bone scrimshaw featuring intricate geometric incisions and animal motifs across its surface.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSculptural Artifact
  • Period19th century
  • StyleMaori Tribal
  • MaterialWhale Bone
  • ColourYellowed Bone
  • MotifsGeometric cross-hatching, Stylised animal figures, Curved rib profile, Incised linear borders
  • SizeH 42 cm (17 in) x W 5 cm (2 in) x D 0.5 cm (0 in)

FAQs

Traditional Maori carving, or whakairo, encompasses wood, bone, and stone, often depicting ancestral figures, tikitiki, and intricate geometric patterns such as puhoro and raorao. During the 19th century, contact with European whalers introduced metal tools, which influenced the refinement and adaptation of native carving techniques on whale and marine mammal bone.

These artifacts are crafted from whale bone, marine mammal rib, or tooth ivory, traditionally shaped using pounamu (greenstone) chisels and abrasive stone files before the adoption of steel tools. Intricate surface designs were etched or incised into the dense bone substrate, frequently darkened with soot, pigment, or natural oils to highlight the engraved motifs.

Authentication relies on examining natural bone microstructure, patination, and tool marks consistent with period craftsmanship. Genuine antique pieces exhibit age-related yellowing, shrinkage cracks, and worn edges from handling, alongside the absence of modern high-speed rotary tooling marks.

Such artifacts serve as striking sculptural focal points when displayed on dedicated custom mounts within a curated cabinet of curiosities or styled atop a minimalist console table. Pairing organic bone and ivory tones with neutral backdrops, dark wood surfaces, and architectural lighting enhances their textured visual weight.

Bone and ivory objects require stable environmental conditions, ideally maintaining a relative humidity between 45 percent and 55 percent to prevent cracking or warping. Items should be kept out of direct sunlight, handled with clean cotton gloves, and cleaned only with a soft, dry brush to avoid introducing moisture or chemical residues.
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