Scrimshaw Sperm Whale’s Tooth
National Museum of American History

Scrimshaw Sperm Whale’s Tooth

Unknown artist

scrimshaw (overall production method/technique)
National Museum of American History
CC0 — Public Domain
National Museum of American History

The obverse, or main side of this tooth is dominated by an etching of an American merchant sailing ship under sail from right to left. Below the water is an exergue or separate scene of three women. In the center is the bust of a woman in an arch; the two outside women are holding up flowers in one hand and pointing at the woman in the center with the other hand, as if they were on stage congratulating her after a performance.

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