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This Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth memorializes the heart, life and engaging story of a young whaler and his family; four people, including the unseen young sailor-engraver, his bride and their two children. This Tooth treasures and preserves the young sailor and his wife's enchanting life, love, thoughts, and spirit over about 5-7 years, probably at least two consecutive whaling expeditions.  One must examine the piece and it's clues carefully to comprehend and appreciate a rare insight into what is most likely the real story and deep thoughts of a young whaler. 

The key to this tooth, with all the details and clues, is to know something about the whaling industry and to appreciate that it is the same woman inscribed on both sides with the same facial contours, cheek bones, chin, nose, mouth, eyes and hair.  

On one side is likely a depiction of his dear bride, perky, vivacious, flirtatious, and probably carved just after their wedding, when he was on an early whaling journey. Whaling voyages usually required several years.

On the other side, ostensibly the same woman is pictured 4 - 6 years later on his next expedition.   He is thinking of her as she cares for their young children and thinking of him. A probable scenario is that he fell in love with this charming young lady, was married, and then went on his initial whaling expedition whereupon he carved the picture of his bride.  

His first whaling journey required possibly 3 years after which he returned home and received a good payment providing him enough money to stay home for a year during which time his second baby was born. On his next expedition he carved the picture of his wife at home with their two children.  The fact that the second picture with his family shows two children rather than just one provides evidence that he did not engage in another expedition until after his second baby was born.

In the scene with the children his young wife wears a cross around her neck indicating her trust in God.   Also above the breakfront or fireplace mantle she is looking past a candle in a cut crystal candlestick illuminating and viewing another cross on a higher shelf of the breakfront or mantle.  She is thinking of her dear husband engaged in the perils of whaling and her trust in the Lord of heaven and earth to bring him home safely and he is thinking and inscribing the the scene of his dear wife and children and her love for the Lord and her fidelity.

In this case we know the Lord blessed them because the husband sailor did return with this Scrimshaw Sperm Whale tooth at a time back when whaling was both perilous and a main source of livelihood all over the North Atlantic Ocean.

Tooth is 6 7/8 inches long. No repairs, no restorations, no alterations.

To bring out some artistic features the contrast has been increased on some pictures rather than add dark pigment to the tooth.

Contact:  H. A. Eberhardt & Son Inc.  2010 Walnut St.,  Philadelphia, PA  19103

Telephone : 215-568-4144     $1875   contact:  email: USE ADDRESS BELOW

Dealer inquiries welcome.