PATRIOTIC POLYCHROME SCRIMSHAW WHALE'S TOOTH ATTRIBUTED TO SAMUEL W. TENNEY Tenney is also known as the "King of the Sea Artist". Sc..

PATRIOTIC POLYCHROME SCRIMSHAW WHALE'S TOOTH ATTRIBUTED TO SAMUEL W. TENNEY Mid-19th Century

Tenney is also known as the "King of the Sea Artist". Scene of a spread-wing eagle, Liberty, a monument and an American-flagged ship wraps around the circumference of the tooth. Liberty, wearing an eagle helmet and holding an American shield at her side, holds aloft a torch on which the eagle is perched. In its beak it clutches a "Liberty And Freedom" banner, which wraps nearly around the entire tip of the tooth. Beside the eagle and Liberty is a columnar monument surrounded by American flags, an anchor and a pyramid of cannonballs. A warship flying an American flag and ensign, probably the U.S.S. Brandywine is just offshore beyond the monument. Nicely proportioned and finely detailed, particularly in the eagle's feathers, Liberty's dress and the embellishments on the monument. Length 5.25".

Provenance:

Leslie Hindman Auctions, Chicago, January 24, 2010, Lot #162.

Nina Hellman, Nantucket, Massachusetts.

Samuel W. Tenney's identity was discovered by scrimshaw historian Michael Gerstein through a tooth in the collection of Historic New England. Tenney was born in Oxford, Massachusetts and served in the Navy aboard the U.S.S. Brandywine and later on the whaleship Fenelon of New Bedford. Examples of Tenney teeth to come to market include Lot #623 in Eldred's November 21, 2013 auction and a scrimshaw walrus tusk presented later in this auction.

The Collection of Paul Vardeman.

Condition: Small and unobtrusive age line at chip. Two small cracks at base are nearly invisible given their placement in the design. Small old chip at one edge of base.

This item will not be shipped internationally without a CITES permit. Obtaining CITES and any other necessary permits is the obligation of the buyer.

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