Scrimshaw - Whaling Museum

Had a wonderful three days in Boston and New Bedford, Massachusetts. My honey took me to the Whaling Museum and I could have spent days there.  Just a marvelous museum that showcases the history of whaling in early America.  So much to share that it will take more than one posting so I will post over this week the highlights of the New Bedford Whaling Museum.  (all photos enlarge when you click on them)

Today's post will feature scrimshaw, the art form that is considered by some to be the only art form that originated in America, since the art of Scrimshaw was first practiced by sailors working on whaling ships out of New England.  Scrimshaw is the art of "drawing" pictures on polished ivory, bone or horn with a sharp tool or knife. The scratched surface is rubbed with ink, and when the ink is removed, it remains in the carved areas.

The word Scrimshaw actually came from a slang expression that was used to refer to anything that was the product of a seaman's idle time, or items that were produced while engaged in the act of loafing. While out at sea there were often several weeks, or even months, that would pass between whale sightings. It was during that time that the sailors would practice their scrimshaw.  Scrimshaw was most popular in the early 1800's, when the whaling industry was at its peak. By the late 1800's, Scrimshaw as an art form, all but died away.  A whaling captain always carried a full barrel or two of raw whale teeth from the previous voyage. Outbound voyages often took 6- to 9-months to arrive at favorable Sperm whaling grounds. Normal ship maintenance and longboat drills could only fill some of this transit time, and with no gambling, card playing, or drinking allowed on most Quaker-owned whaling ships, scrimshaw was encouraged to occupy free time. From this barrel, the Captain had first choice of several teeth, then the First mate, Second Mate, Third Mate, boatsteerers, cooper, blacksmith and cook. By the time greenhands were allowed to choose, only poor teeth remained in the bottom of the barrel.

Gift to the ship's captain.  A scrimshaw and wooden watch stand to emulate a grandfather clock. About 24 inches high.

Engraved (scrimshaw) whale tooth, about  9 inches in length.

Absolutely lovely pie crimpers and kitchen tools.  These range in size from 12 inches to about 2 inches.  Highly detailed of mythical creatures, lace patterns and inlay.  Gifts for their wives, sisters, daughters and girlfriends.

Extraordinary pie crimper of a mermaid. This beauty measures about 10 inches in length.  Crimpers were tools used almost daily as "pies" were a staple at the New England table.  Meat pies filled with rich gravies and potatoes needed to be "crimped" closed before baked or fried.

Beautiful scrimshaw corset Buskers. The corset busk, perfect for flattening the stomach, was originally a flat piece of wood slipped down inside a pocket at the front of the corset.   A very personal gift for the women in the sailor's lives.  This was carved and shaped from the fringed plates of the upper jaw of the whale.

These pieces were huge...about 3 feet in length and 12 inches at the width.  Pair of extraordinary scrimshaw work on the jawpans of the whale.  

Closeup of detail of above piece, top piece of the pair shown above.

The detail carved on these teeth are incredible.  Life like portraits of a little girl and a family member.  Whalebone teeth and egg cup.

And now my favorites...sewing items for women.  Marvelous whalebone swift.  A swift is used for winding yarn.  This swift is supported on a sewing box with tiny drawers for threads and needles.  This is a large swift measuring almost 2 feet high.

Another swift with spool holders and a pin cushion on top. This swift measured no more than 12 high.  So much detail.

Lovely lace knitting basket fashioned from whale bone.  Needles are whalebone and wood.  Oh how I would love to knit with these.

Whale ivory lantern that held candles for light.

Lovely hatbox. Highly detailed and full of color.

Lovely thread tower crafted from whale ivory. About 18 inches high.

Sweet and small thread wheel.  Whalebone, carved and shaped.

Finches were often brought back from far away lands and whalebone birdcages were crafted. 

The clenched fist was a popular theme for the scrimshaw craftsman.  Often used for cane heads or bodkins.

Another favorite theme of the carver were the "bawdy" ladies legs and boots.  Three walking canes.

Scrimshaw whale tooth and lovely carved quilt clamp.

Whalebone tooth ink well and stand.

Whale jawbone with exposed teeth.  The largest of these teeth measured approximately 9 inches in length.  There was so much beautiful scrimshaw to look at.  I could have taken hundreds of photos.  What these sailors created during their down time is nothing less then extraordinary.  What I did learn at the museum is that every portion of the whale was utilized in their quest for whale oil.  The oil that lit the world.  Have a wonderful week and blessings to you and those you love.  Sea Witch