SCRIMSHAW WHALE'S TOOTH ATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM LEWIS RODERICK Depicts a whaling scene of a whaleship, three whaleboats and two visibl..

SCRIMSHAW WHALE'S TOOTH ATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM LEWIS RODERICK First Half of the 19th Century

Depicts a whaling scene of a whaleship, three whaleboats and two visible whales. One whaleboat is under sail and another has been stoved, tossing whalemen into the water. The whaleship is flying a British ensign and another unidentified flag, and the hull is deeply engraved. Like all Roderick's work, this scene is exceptionally detailed, from the careful rendering of the whalemen, to the individual teeth visible in a whale's jaw, to the undulations of the water. Scene framed within a double line border at left and right. Reverse is unpolished. Length 8".

This tooth is almost identical in size, shape and subject to two pieces signed by Roderick that are part of the Mystic Seaport collection.

Provenance:

Richard "Sam" Sylvia, Nantucket, Massachusetts, who indicated in 1979 that the tooth had been part of Ed Stackpole's collection for 35 years.

Private Collection.

The Collection of Paul Vardeman.

Condition: Light and typical wear commensurate with age. No significant damages noted. Entire length of the tooth at top is bisected by a deeply engraved line and has two pierced holes at top, probably for display purposes.

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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