113: AN EARLY 20TH C. WHALE BONE AND MARINE IVORY CANE

A fine example of the sailor's art created in downtime between hunting whales and manning the ship. The handle, probably a sperm whale tooth, is carved in great detail with an alligator draped end-to-end in high relief; the whale bone shaft carved to emulate a blackthorn is encircled by a snake with crosshatch scale detail and dark green stain. There is an illegible name or signature in green on the handle.

Herman Mellville speaks to the sailor's art of scrimshaw in Moby Dick, ''lively sketches of whales and whaling-scenes, graven by the fishermen themselves on Sperm Whale-teeth, or ladies busks wrought out of the Right Whale-bone, and other like skrimshander articles, as the whalemen call the numerous little ingenious contrivances they elaborately carved out of the rough material in the hours of ocean leisure...'' But much more than scrimmed whale teeth and ladies corset stays were made, including objects like this.
Measures 34.5 x 5.5 x 1.5 inches.
Very good original condition, there are no issues of damage, repair or heavy wear.
Provenance: The Paul Vardeman Marine Antiques Collection.
$800 - $1,200