The Prowler

Posted on by Andrew Perkins

Rod Lacey continues to amaze me. He sent me the timeline and pictures of his latest work, which I’m grateful to share here. I appreciate the fact that he documents not only the piece in progress, but the time it takes between the shots as well. (I’ve added imperial measurements and my comments in parentheses and italics.) His site is aptly named “ScrimshawAddiction.com“:

Well, guess what’s next, yes, another Tiger; a Tiger is prowling the night, the tiger is coming out of the dark, this one has got it all, orange, green and black.
The piece of ivory I have chosen is a beautiful chunk of Fossil Walrus tusk; it weighs 530 grams (1.168pounds) and is 16.5 cm long x 7.5 cm deep (6.5″x3″).

Step 1- 5/5/2020
This picture shows the piece of Fossil Walrus ivory I have chosen, it’s a tad brownish but will be OK.

Step 2- 5/5/2020
This picture shows the piece of Fossil Walrus ivory with the picture attached ready to have the outline cut out; I will do this with a scalpel and the stippling machine. (see the earlier posts regarding his stippling machine. I attempted to make one several years back using a tattooing machine, but the results were less than marginal).

Step 3- 8/5/2020
This picture shows the ivory with the outline cut out and filled with black oil paint. Next, I will fill in the black areas.

Step 4- 16/5/2020
The black background is complete; I will now do the background detail, mostly browns, and a little green.

Step 5- 21/5/20
The background is complete, wow what a job, but it looks quite nice.
Next, I’ll do the foreground.

Step 6- 24/5/20
I have finished the foreground; I am looking forward to starting on the Tiger.
I love working on this Fossil walrus; it cuts so well. (I like the detail of the leaf litter and the tree trunk with the green leaves in the foreground – it adds a nice depth)

Step 7- 25/5/20
The stripes on the tiger are now complete; next, the brown, this part is simply filling in the color with a little shading and, of course, the eyes and nose.
It’s about now; I start to think about the base. Hmm…

Step 8- 27/5/20
Three weeks later, finished, now the base.

Step 9- 30/5/20
I will make the base out of Curly Jarrah; it is a very hard timber that carves excellently, this took two days to complete, I bought it from Djarilmari Timber Products, WA, many years ago, a truly outstanding piece of wood.
This shows the shaping of the base.

The next picture shows the finished base with a Mammoth ivory nameplate set with diamonds in yellow gold.

(Rod sent a couple more pics, this one is a close-up of the tiger under a bright light, which shows depth of the stippling, especially behind the shoulder.)

(An extremly nice touch shown here is the gold and diamond setting.)

Another Amazing Wood Artist – Paul Baker

Posted on by Andrew Perkins

Paul reached out to me with part of an interesting project he’s in the middle of: making cameras. These are late 18th century cameras, replica Victorian cameras as if from aproximately 1893. After sending me some pictures of his work and his want of some intricate scrimshaw, we conversed via email and worked out what he was envisioning. Thankfully, the graphic artist knew the fonts she had used for the cards he had printed – also using similar techniques for that period, and I was able to reproduce them on a piece of galalith. Being in California, any type of ivory is out of the question, but galalith was also from that period and being used for everything from an ivory alternative for hairbrushes and other sundry items to musical instruments, steering wheels and decorations for some of the first Ford cars. He was gracious enough to allow me some freedom on the design, the result is in the pictures below. This is part of a larger art installation he is working on, which I will elaborate on if he allows. It’s a fascinating idea that he is pouring his creative talents into with wonderful results. I’d have to say he is an excellent craftsman as well, and I look forward to seeing his final results. (continued…)

Nameplate and base of a camera under a belljar. Woodwork by Paul Baker, Scrimshaw by Andrew Perkins
Base of a camera under glass – a specimin from the life of Beauchamp A. Pettibone, Esq.
A camera similar to the one Paul Baker is creating (photo courtesy icollector.com)
A camera similar to one of several Paul Baker is recreating (photo courtesy icollector.com)
Paul Baker's version of Beauchamp's camera, materials used include ribbon mahogany veneer, shagreen (sting ray skin leather), vintage drafting equipment. (all period correct to 19th C, especially the shagreen; was used to cover telescopes on clipper ships).
Paul’s camera, including ribbon mahogany veneer, shagreen (stingray leather), and some clever use of drafting equipment for pinpoint focusing, all period correct to the 19th century) Shagreen was used to cover telescopes on clipper ships.
Closeup of the shagreen and the focusing mechanism that "Beauchamp created".
Closeup of the shagreen and Beauchamp’s focusing mechanism.

Intrigued? It’s a fascinating project and history lesson, story and adventure all in one! Find out more by visiting his site at http://www.c-clampstudios.com/

New Commission for a Clavichord

Posted on by Andrew Perkins

Clavichord with scrimshaw nameplate It was a pleasure to create the nameplate for this clavichord. A clavichord was used largely in the Late Middle Ages, through the Renaissance, Baroque and Classical eras. Historically, it was mostly used as a practice instrument and as an aid to composition, not being loud enough for larger performances. The maker created this for his son, who is a classically trained musician. I’m hoping to get an MP3 sample of it soon and will attach it here.

Mystery Artist 50 – Bessa – Solved!

Posted on by Andrew Perkins

Another beautiful piece more than likely originating in Portugal, it depicts a three masted ship with a lighthouse in the foreground. The owner “came across this whale tooth at a small antique shop in Branson, Missouri, about 30 years ago. It was delight at first sight! I remember the price tag had “From the Azores” written on it. It measures 6″ x 2.5″, and is heavy for its size. It makes one wonder how many Giant Squid this thing’s clamped onto.”

The owner continues: “…
If you’re a fan of sailing ship rope-ladders,…and who isn’t? Then enjoy, because there’s about 18 of them. “

A beautiful piece. anyone who knows of or knew Bessa? We’d all enjoy hearing more about this artist. Leave comments below.

Update 2020-07-14 – Richard sent me a note via “questions[at]scrimshaw.com” stating: ” M Bessa had a small shop in the town of Praia da Vitoria on the island of Terceira, Azores, Portugal. I was stationed at Lajes Field for 3 1/2 years [approximately 1980] , while serving in the USAF, and spent many hours in his shop talking and watching him work. …” He also sent another photo of on an original M Bessa on a wood pedastal. Thanks Richard!

An original Bessa via Richard, depicting a ship in the background with a whale and a skiff and sailor in the foreground.
Another M Bessa via Richard

Richard writes: “I’m glad the owner was pleased with what little information I could provide. It was so long ago, but it brought back lots of fond memories. The Azores is a magical place.I’ve attached a few more pictures. I hope you enjoy them.”

Thanks again, Richard. I hope to someday find my way to the Azores and to Portugal – Lisbon would be a wonderous day trip, though I’m sure the Azores would be where I would fall in love with the culture and the land. Below are a few more pics from Richard:

Vertical Whale tooth with scrimshaw of a whaling ship in full sail by M Bessa
Bessa and Gaspar receipt from the pre-internet days.

Mystery Artist 49 – SD

Posted on by Andrew Perkins

Flat tooth or bone with a domed lighthouse and a ship in the distance scrimshawed and filled with black pigment.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!