National Museum of American History
Scrimshaw Sperm Whale’s Tooth, Mid-19th Century
Unknown artist
The etching on this polished and carved whale’s tooth portrays a very formally dressed young lady wearing a cap, shoulder cape, apron and leggings, standing on a small piece of ground. Her eyes are fixed on her left hand, which holds forth a daisy. This tooth is one of a pair with Cat. 37490, which is the same size and has a very similar subject by the same sailor.
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