Scrimshaw

Originating in the 19th century, scrimshaw is considered the traditional folk art of the sea.Our selection of scrimshaw products are hand-cast and hand-finished.

In the days when sailors spent years away from home, hunting for whales, relief from boredom and tension came from engraving illustrations on whale bone and walrus tusks. Pictures included ships, whale hunts, mythlogogical figures and places visited.

With 20th century bans on trading ivory products, the art of scrimshaw is now appreciated through the development of polymer ivory. Engraving on this man-made material has resulted in some fine scrimshaw work, that even experts battle to distinguish from the genuine antiques.