What looks to be an old walrus tooth or a bone fragment, this scrimshaw of a lighthouse looks almost ancient. Nicely shadow framed, the artist’s mark is “SD” or “SB” if the crossing of the lower part of the S was meant to do so. Nice shading on the dome. The owner purchased it at the flea market near Asheville, NC from a lady who worked with girl scouts.
Anyone know the artist? Please comment in the section below!
Barlow is a name many people recognize in scrimshaw. Just about everything I’ve ever seen on finished goods such as knives, belt buckles, lighters, jewelry, etc. This one is scrimmed on what appears to be a whale tooth, and was inherited recently.
An amazing amount of seagulls circle the ship, more than the typical 2-5 on most scrimshaws. The front is extremely polished while the back is dull and unpolished. We’re waiting for a picture of the signature which will hopefully be provided soon. The owner writes:
“I have this piece that is scrimshawed and is absolutely beautiful. I don’t know if it’s a whale tooth or walrus. It’s signed by Steve Barlow. I have attached a couple of pictures and hope that maybe you can guide me to finding someone that can tell me if it’s a real original or a Knock-off. I received it from as an inheritance and have no clue. …”
The signature appears as “Steve T Barlow”…
Base of tooth appears to the right. While there is a nerve cavity, the sides appear quite thick…
If you have any knowledge of the piece, please leave your comments below.
A whale tooth from a Goodwill store in Ohio… you never know where you’re going to find a treasure.
“I purchased a scrimshaw Walrus tooth at a Goodwill store Ohio. I didn’t know what it actually was. Just thought the tooth was Neat with drawing on it, Then googled and was reading1 This is how I found your site. I was looking at signature and it looks like wwnnnww LoL”
2019-05-13 — Special thanks to Douglass Moody for the following information:
| Special thanks to Douglass Moody for the quick and informative response: ” Naguruk, Nuguruk and Nunuk As per Dorothy Jean Ray in her book A Legacy of Arctic Art, page 148, ” I saw names like “Nunuk” and “Nuguruk” inscribed on pieces at a time when most ivory art was anonymous; few Eskimos in Nome vicinity signed their work, and if they did, they used a binomial… I later learned that these objects were made in Seattle, usually mass-produced from a master engraved on ivory pieces, usually elephant ivory, with a tag “genuine ivory”, which were then sent to Alaska, where customers mistakenly thought they were buying Eskimo-made objects of walrus ivory,” http://www.ahgupuk.com/Naguruk%20Nuguruk%20Nunuk.html Douglass and many other collectors can be found on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/scrimshawcollectorsguild/ Here you can find both artists and collectors of this engaging art. |
Anyone recognize the artist? It’s a great style. Post your responses below if you know, and thanks for looking!
A Bolo tie with a scrimshawed bison (American buffalo). On the back is scribed “McAlexander VII VII”. 1977? Epoxied connector on the back, braided leather tie, antler tips. Waiting on geographic location, but wanted to get the pics up in case anyone knows the artist. Any clues? Feel free to let us know in the comments below.
Mark writes:
I have tested the ivory with a hot pin and