scrimshaw.com - An Ancient Art on Eco-Friendly Materials

Mystery Artist(s) 45 – Ship Roman and Bark Arrow

Posted on October 21, 2018November 25, 2018 by Andrew Perkins

Mark writes:

“I just came across your website scrimshaw.com and wonder if you may be able to help identify the following two whale’s teeth scrimshaw scrimshanders. The boats in question are:

Ship Roman (No initials but there is history on the Ship Roman)

Bark Arrow (Has the initials JA however I can find no history on the Bark)

I have tested the ivory with a hot pin and

both passed.

Hope you can help

Many thanks,

Mark (UK)

By the looks of the pics and the scrimshaw they appear authentic, though I haven’t found any information on them so far. Several replicas of the ship Roman, though not with this exact scrimshaw.

The Bark Arrow does have some information online (http://www.cah.utexas.edu/db/dmr/gallery_lg.php?s=84&gallery=exxonmobil). Searching for “Bark Arrow” with quotes reveals a lot of links.

Anyone familiar with the pieces or the style? Feel free to comment below.

Albrect Durer’s “Little Owl” on Galalith

Posted on October 13, 2018November 25, 2018 by Andrew Perkins

A little fun on a Saturday evening. Albrecht Durer (1471-1528) is one of my favorite artists. His woodcut prints are beautiful and iconic (such as the praying hands). His crafts included painting, engraving and woodcuts and are worth marveling over on Wikipedia at least (link). Heavily influenced by the Italian styles during his “gap years”, he incorporated what he found into all of his works.

Mystery Artist(s) 44 – Help Identifying Tooth Tip

Posted on August 18, 2018 by Andrew Perkins

Julie writes:

“…

spent time on Nantucket as a college student in 1976-77. I purchased a couple of pieces of scrimshaw while there and and think maybe the scrimshander was Peter LaJoie but not sure.

Also, I inherited a piece of very primitive looking scrimshaw from an uncle that was an antique collector. He died about 20 years ago at the age of 97. I have no idea where the piece originated but it does seem to be authentic whale tooth cut from the tip of a tooth. I wondered if it was someone’s early attempt at scrimshaw. It is coincidentally signed with a PL also although it is in script. I’m sending pics of the items and hope you can assist me in identifying them. Thank you for your time and consideration.”

Scrimshaw Cabochon with initials "PL" of a lighthouse and ship

Lighthouse and Ship on walrus ivory, small cursive "L" to the right

Side of tooth tip with cursive initials "PL"

Below are the pictures Julie provided for us. Can anyone identify the artist(s), and regarding the tip, would this be whale or possibly walrus? Add your comments below.

Mystery Artist 43 – Wilk from Alaska

Posted on August 11, 2018November 25, 2018 by Andrew Perkins

Scrimshaw of Alaskan

A beautiful piece created in Ketchican, Alaska by E. Wilk, the owner would love to have more information about the artist, if they’re still scrimshawing,

etc.:

“I purchased this beautiful scrimshaw work in the mid 1980’s from a Gallery in Ketchikan, Alaska E. Wilk was from Bellingham. Do you have any current information on this artist? This scrimshaw was on the cover of a Northwest magazine at the time. I have a copy of it somewhere around here…”

“Thanks for your help.

“Best,

“Jennifer[…]”

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Write your comments in the area below.

Mystery Artist 42 – WAD or WAP – “Memories 1988”

Posted on August 7, 2018November 25, 2018 by Andrew Perkins

Beautiful bracelet with four cabochons, initials WAD or WAP on sterling silver:

“Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. The photo shows the piece that has the clearest artist signature on it; the rest are under the silver or barely visible but they appear to be the same.

“Thank you in advance.

Pam …”

Will try to find it’s origin, but Pam would love to know more about the artist and the materials. Do you know the artist? Write in the comments below.