Scrimshaw whale teeth
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https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/e89f91f0-0d92-0135-23f6-0050569601ca-7
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Descriptive Information
| Title | Scrimshaw whale teeth |
| Description | Photograph, b/w |
| Interpretation | Depicting an old Dutch whaling fluyte in profile (lower), and an old Dutch version of a whale (upper). This particular version of a whale appears frequently in engravings from the 1600s. Scrimshaw is considered an original American folk art form. While at sea whaling the carving of ivory, bone, or shell offered diversion and entertainment for the sailors as they waited for a whale to be spotted. It required a great deal of patience and accurate control of the sharp instrument used to incise the lines on the object. Traditionally, an engraving tool the size of a large needle was used to scratch or "draw" on the object. Then an application of india ink was rubbed into the recessed lines scratched on the surface. The excess ink was then wiped away, providing contrast and bringing the pictures to life. |
| Lesson Plans / Themes | Whaling Slide Show |
| Learning Standards | |
| Source | Maritime Arts by William Gilkerson, ISBN 0-87577-061-4, 76 (p.67) |
| Subject / Keywords | |
| Temporal Coverage | 18XX |
| Collection Publisher | Illinois State Library |
| Rights | Copyright Not Evaluated |
| Date Created | 37851 |
| Collection Title | Teaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community) |
| Collection | Teaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community) |
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Scrimshaw whale teeth |