Engraved Sperm Whale Tooth 1
Item
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Identifier
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1991.0101.176.a
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Title
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Engraved Sperm Whale Tooth 1
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Creator
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Frederick Myrick (American, 1808 - 1862)
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Measurements
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15.2 x 6.3 cm (6 x 2 1/2 inches)
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Date Created
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February 6, 1829
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Description
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A sperm whale’s tooth, engraved with a banner with an inscription over a whaleship with mizzen topsail, main topsail, and fore topsail set and fore sail furled. Three whaleboats surround a whale in the water in front of the ship’s bow, the boatsteerer/harpooner or boatheader of the whaleboat closest to the ship poised to strike. To the right of this scene is an eagle clutching seven arrows in its left talon and a branch in its right, a shield on its chest and a banner with an inscription in its beak, all of which are wreathed by a vine. The tip of the tooth is engraved with two crossed American flags. The obverse of the tooth depicted in “Engraved Sperm Whale Tooth 2,” “Engraved Sperm Whale Tooth 3,” and “Engraved Sperm Whale Tooth 4.” Engraved and/or carved whale teeth, baleen, walrus tusks, and whale bones are called “scrimshaw.” Whereas baleen was used in the manufacture of boxes, bags, trunks, canes, umbrellas, and garments such as corsets, bodices, and skirts, whale ivory and bone and walrus ivory had no commercial value and were given to the crew, who engraved or carved them during downtime. Scrimshaw was kept as a memento or gifted to loved ones upon return home. Images were not limited to scenes of whaling voyages: women, children, eagles, and buildings were popular subjects. bFrederick Myrick produced 37 known carvings while serving aboard the Susan of Nantucket from 1826 until 1829, referred to as “Susan’s Teeth.” He was the first American whaler to sign and date his scrimshaw.
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Inscriptions
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Inscribed: The Susan whaling on the coast of Japan; E PLURIBUS UNUM
Susans_Tooth_1