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Scrimshaw: an etching made into bone by a man at sea, usually associated with whale hunting.
Maybe the ship on this piece of scrimshaw is the one the man was on whilst etching it?
This piece of scrimshaw lives in our collection.
The whale bone has been shaved flat to resemble the shape of a busk.
The whale bone has been shaved flat to resemble the shape of a busk.
Busk: a piece used to stiffen the front of a corset, or pair of stays, worn by women throughout the 1700s and early 1800s.
This busk was probably never actually worn, but given as a decorative gift to a lover or wife when the maker returned from a voyage 
Voyages could last as long as 4 years, so men would engrave these to pass the time.
Voyages could last as long as 4 years, so men would engrave these to pass the time.
Passing time: existence since March 2020
We know nothing more about this scrimshaw than this, unfortunately.
Not us, 9 museums and galleries, not knowing something about one of our 1.3 million objects!
Not us, 9 museums and galleries, not knowing something about one of our 1.3 million objects!
This isn’t actually uncommon. There are loads of things we don’t have accurate provenance for....
... but, using our knowledge and expertise (here, we call her @vanessaljones_) we can hazard a guess!
... but, using our knowledge and expertise (here, we call her @vanessaljones_) we can hazard a guess!
When dating objects, one thing to look for are depictions of clothing.
The gowns in these etchings would have been worn around 1820. So it *could* mean that this scrimshaw was engraved around this period
The gowns in these etchings would have been worn around 1820. So it *could* mean that this scrimshaw was engraved around this period
This shows a very similar style of dress to the one on the scrimshaw, and is dated to 1821:
