Category: Mystery Artist

Mystery Artist 57 – A Dragon to the Bahamas

Posted on by Andrew Perkins

Scrimshaw of a dragon on an ivory disk with a chain attached to the top, photographed on denim
Ivan writes: “I purchased this during a snowstorm in Provincetown about 45 years ago. The seller was desperate to get to his shop in the Bahamas and I bargained for it because I had never seen a slice of whale tooth scrimshaw with a Chinese dragon done in such exquisite detail. I’ve searched for years but have not been able to identify the artist. The initials are either RET or BET. Please post in your mystery artist section; I’m not willing to give up yet.”

Some better pictures may show the grain more clearly (I’m emailing for more pics), though I believe I see some of the “tapioca” pattern of walrus tusk in the center. Hoping to get pictures of the back and of the edge as well for better identification of the material.

The initials “BET” are currently in the unresolved initials on the site https://www.scrimshawstudio.com/scrimshaw-artsist-marks-and-signatures/ – a great resource for looking up scrimshaw artists marks. The picture of the signature is at about #186. I’ll be updating this post as more information arrives.

Mystery Artist 36 Addition – Andhi Eagle Scrimshaw – Artist info found!

Posted on by Andrew Perkins

Thanks to Debra for the information! “The artists name is Andhi Spaeth. He was employed by Heinz Lange, Northwest Arts and Crafts, Seattle Washington. …”
“… There is a video on YouTube – SCRIMSHAW IVORY COLLECTION Heinz Lange Estate – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6medsilCG4 “

Contacted through Etsy, the owner recently aquired this scrimshaw on what appears to be mammoth tusk. Crisp and beautifully rendered, the scrimshaw is mounted on a wooden stand. I really enjoy looking at this piece – the contrast, even the lightest lines are wonderfully thought out.

The person he bought it from stated they had purchased it about 40 years ago in a small town in Alaska, and it was told to them Andhi is (was) a native.

Anyone know the artist or the history of the piece? Please add your comments below.

Eagle Scrimshaw by Andhi on mammoth ivory

Mystery Artist 56 – “MB” from the Northwest – Addition on 2024

Posted on by Andrew Perkins

A beautifully detailed ship and expertly stylized sailor scrimshaw on what appears to be stabilized bone or walrus tusk. I haven’t seen any material like this before. The rope framing is well done, and there may be additional initials under the sailor’s arm looking like “LB” or LS?

It was a gift from someone in the northwest, and the current owner would love to find out more information about it. A simple mounting and additional marking of what appears to be “T 16-5-82” on the back. Any information about the artist and the material would be greatly appreciated.

I’ve looked through the scrimshaw artist marks and signatures (thank you for creating this, Jim Stevens!) and haven’t found a match. Please add to the comments below.

2024 – Additional scrimshaw pieces have surfaced in the Far North of New Zealand, “…a strong whaling area in the 1800s”. The initials are a little different, looking like a conglomeration of “PMJB” on one, and possibly “MJB” on the smaller one. The owner is looking for more information and possible value, including the material. The shape of the tall ship reminds me of cattle bone along with the grain to the right, but I’ve only worked on similar materials – it may be part of a tusk or tooth – a picture of the back may reveal more clues (I’ll ask).

2024 MB from New Zealand

2024 Closeup of art and initials

Any help in identifying the artist and the materials would be helpful. Please respond in the comments below!

Mystery Artist 55 – Scrimshaw with Initials FA

Posted on by Andrew Perkins

A rustic scrimshaw possibly from the Nantucket area. Appears to be real, possibly scrimshawed by knife point or marlin spike. Scrimshawing on a ship at sea had to be difficult at best. The owner would love to know any information about it. The lures (one made in Japan) were always next to the whale tooth when they were displayed.

Any ideas about the artist? Please reply below.

Mystery Artist 54 – HJBreuer – possibly found?

Posted on by Andrew Perkins

From 1981, on ivory micarta. It looks lie HJBreuen, though it might be HJBreuen, Karl writes:
” …was perusing the internet to try to ID the Artist on these lovely Westinghouse Micarta 1911 grips, any help would be greatly appreciated.”

Mystery Artist 54 Signature HJBreuer '81
Mystery Artist 54, scrimshaw eagle with shield, arrows and olive branch on micarta.
Mystery Artist 54 - Left side scrimshaw of Eagle with shield, arrows and olive branch

Nice design, precise framing. The scrimshaw eagle has decent cross-hatching. Hoping to get more information about this artist who we haven’t run across before. Anyone familiar with HJBreuen and their work? Please add your comments below.

2021-02-09 Update:

I stumbled over skrimshaw today, very nice page indeed, and I think I found your latest mystery artist. As I seem to be too stupid to find the comment section on your website, you’re getting this via e-mail. I think the artist you’re looking for is (or rather was) called Henry Joseph Breuer, and studied at the San Francisco School of Fine Arts. It’s quite difficult to look for him online, because of a quite famous artist of the same name, possibly his Grandfather, who died in 1932. I only came across him when researching that artist. Anyway, some info can be found here: https://de.findagrave.com/memorial/118689739/henry-joseph-breuer . Note the “He leaves a lifetime of artwork behind.” at the bottom of the obituary. Evidently not the most commercially successful of fellows, but there you go. 

Greetings from Freiburg in Germany,

Andreas B”

Thank you Andreas! This looks like an excellent lead. As far as not finding the comment section, it’s more than likely due to a loose nut behind the keyboard on this end…