Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Whale Tooth from the Ship "Susan" |
Place of Origin |
Massachusetts, Nantucket |
Artist or Maker |
Myrick, Frederick (1808-1862) |
Date |
1829 |
Materials |
Whale Ivory, Silver |
Dimension Details |
Width: 1 3/4" Length: 7 1/2" |
Description |
Frederick Myrick was one of the earliest known scrimshaw artists and was widely regarded as the best in his field. He was the first recorded engraver of pictorial sperm-whale teeth to sign and date his work. Between 1826 and 1829, Myrick made a sperm whaling voyage to the Pacific Ocean onboard the ship "Susan" of Nantucket, upon which he engraved some thirty-six whale teeth. This tooth is one of two "Susan teeth" owned by the Foundation. It is engraved with starboard images of a whaling ship. One side depicts the cutting in activity and is inscribed "The Susan on the Coast of Japan"/"Ship Susan of Nantucket'/Frederick Swain/Master." The scene on the other side is titled "The Susan Boiling and Killing Sperm Whales." The piece, which is fitted with silver mountings on the tip and base that are connected with a chain, includes the inscription: "Engraved by Fred Myrick on board of the Susan February the 23rd, 1829." |
Provenance |
Richard A. Bourne Co., Inc., Hyannis, Massachusetts, August 19, 1971, Lot 387 Purchased by The Dietrich American Foundation (Horace Gordon, Villanova, Pennsylvania, agent), 1971 |
Object Name |
Picture, Scrimshaw |
Object ID |
1.2.923 |
Search Terms |
whaling |