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Pair Scrimshaw Whale Teeth, Bonham's Provenance, C1880
Sold by Curious Antiques
sold SA859778
Sorry, but this item has been sold.

Curious Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jun 2015
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Pair Scrimshaw Whale Teeth, Bonham's Provenance, C1880

19th century
Sold 24 February 2025 · Curious Antiques
This “Pair Scrimshaw Whale Teeth, Bonham's Provenance, C1880” 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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Antique Sailor ArtBone Scrimshaw Carving Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

Fine pair 19th century scrimshaw decorated Whale teeth, c1880. They were previously offered for sale at a specialist Bonham's' Maritime sale Knightsbridge, London 15th April,2015, Lot 9. Catalogued by specialists at Bonham's , pictured as a featured lot and independently authenticated as 19th century (the catalogue is available online).The larger tooth depicts a pin-transfer picture of a lady holding a fan and the smaller one a polychrome picture of a young girl/woman holding flowers. Both are in good antique condition ,there is a small naturally occurring split on the base of the larger tooth and a flattening on the tip on the smaller one. All very minor and as you would expect from examples of this age.

Price includes FREE UK delivery. Please contact me re International shipping which will require CITES certification.

Size: 14cm long x 4cm wide x 4cm deep; 10cm long x 3.5cm wide x 2.5cm deep, combined weight 0.4kg 895

Date of Manufacture

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

Physical Dimensions
Height
14cm (5.51")
Width
4cm (1.57")
Depth
4cm (1.57")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA859778
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
Fine pair 19th century scrimshaw decorated Whale teeth, c1880.
“
They were previously offered for sale at a specialist Bonham's' Maritime sale Knightsbridge, London 15th April,2015, Lot 9.
Curious Antiques

Catalogued by specialists at Bonham's , pictured as a featured lot and independently authenticated as 19th century (the catalogue is available online).The larger tooth depicts a pin-transfer picture of a lady holding a fan and the smaller one a polychrome picture of a young girl/woman holding flowers. Both are in good antique condition ,there is a small naturally occurring split on the base of the larger tooth and a flattening on the tip on the smaller one. All very minor and as you would expect from examples of this age.

fig 1. A pair of carved cream-coloured whale teeth featuring stippled portrait engravings in dark ink.
fig 1. Pair Scrimshaw Whale Teeth, Bonham's Provenance, C1880

Price includes FREE UK delivery. Please contact me re International shipping which will require CITES certification.

Size: 14cm long x 4cm wide x 4cm deep; 10cm long x 3.5cm wide x 2.5cm deep, combined weight 0.4kg 895

Date of Manufacture

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

Height
14cm (5.51")
Width
4cm (1.57")
Depth
4cm (1.57")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA859778
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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A pair of carved cream-coloured whale teeth featuring stippled portrait engravings in dark ink. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I A pair of carved cream-coloured whale teeth featuring stippled portrait engravings in dark ink. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Pair Scrimshaw Whale Teeth, Bonham's Provenance, C1880

Archive II A pair of carved cream-coloured whale teeth featuring stippled portrait engravings in dark ink. View II
Archive III A pair of carved cream-coloured whale teeth featuring stippled portrait engravings in dark ink. View III
Archive IV A pair of carved cream-coloured whale teeth featuring stippled portrait engravings in dark ink. View IV
Archive V A pair of carved cream-coloured whale teeth featuring stippled portrait engravings in dark ink. View V
Archive VI A pair of carved cream-coloured whale teeth featuring stippled portrait engravings in dark ink. View VI
Archive VII A pair of carved cream-coloured whale teeth featuring stippled portrait engravings in dark ink. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of carved cream-coloured whale teeth featuring stippled portrait engravings in dark ink. View VIII
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
A pair of carved cream-coloured whale teeth featuring stippled portrait engravings in dark ink.
Pair Scrimshaw Whale Teeth, Bonham's Provenance, c1880
Ref: SA859778
A pair of carved cream-coloured whale teeth featuring stippled portrait engravings in dark ink.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDecorative Objects
  • Period19th century
  • StyleMaritime Folk Art
  • MaterialSperm Whale Tooth, Pigment
  • ColourCream
  • MotifsStippled portraiture, Engraved figures, Natural tooth curvature
  • SizeH 14 cm (6 in) x W 4 cm (2 in) x D 4 cm (2 in)

FAQs

Scrimshaw is the traditional folk art created by whalers, primarily during the 18th and 19th centuries, who engraved and carved designs into whalebone and teeth using basic tools like sail needles and jackknives.

Authentic period pieces were crafted directly from the teeth of sperm whales or the baleen and bone of other marine mammals harvested during commercial whaling expeditions.

Authentic pieces generally exhibit genuine age-related patina, natural yellowing, micro-cracking, and stippled or incised line work filled with dark pigment like lampblack, india ink, or soot.

These decorative objects can be displayed on brass stands inside glass cabinets, on study bookshelves, or on mantelpieces alongside other curated curiosities to add historical texture.

Preservation requires keeping pieces out of direct sunlight to prevent bleaching or drying out, maintaining stable indoor humidity levels, and avoiding harsh chemical cleaning agents.
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