We’re hoping someone may be able to identify the artist and the material on this necklace. I’ve emailed the owner hoping to get some better pictures, especially of the signature to the left. It appears to be either ivory or possibly antler, hard to tell since the base is capped. The cracks at the top make me think ivory, but the staining near the base makes me think antler. Anyone know the artist or material? We’d love to know. Post your comments below, and as always, thank you!
Tag: scrimshaw
Mystery Artist 28 – “GH”
Expertly crafted scrimshaw butterfly on diminutive oval cabochon. Initials GH on the back. Owner would like to know more about the artist and the piece. Feel free To comment in the section below.
Mystery Artist 27 – Ring with “DCZ”
“… I have a ring I’m not sure of the material but I
believe it to but a type of ivory.It is from what I can tell signed “DCZ”. Any information that can be determined would be greatly appreciated.Thank you -christian.”
Looks to have a grain behind the dragon, but it’s difficult to tell. Hoping to find more information as to the location it was purchased to help find the creator. Anyone know a scrimshaw artist with the initials “DCZ”? We’d love to know, there are few scrimshaw rings out there. Add any information in the comments section below.
The Value of Scrimshaw
I’ve received a question regarding the value of a piece of scrimshaw done in the 20th century on a whale’s tooth, and I really don’t know the answer. I do scrimshaw, though I don’t collect it. A reader has a beautiful piece by P. Hayde, I believe, and wants to know how to figure its value so they may insure it. If there is a collector who could help them and similar collectors out with either a link or some good guidelines, I’ll be happy to post the information here, with or without your email as you see fit. It would be greatly appreciated.
Leave a reply in the box below to help your fellow collectors.
Thank you in advance,
Andrew Perkins
Mystery Artist 26 – Whale Tooth: Authentic or Repro? Verdict: “Fakeshaw”
Mystery Artist # 26 is a scrimshaw on a whale tooth, either real or a very good reproduction. From the owner: “Hello, not sure what I have here, as it is somewhat similar to the Turnage Place Mississippi repros. Anyone’s help is much appreciated, thanks Kelvin.”
One thing I’ve noticed is the uniformity of the color beneath. There is also no grain in the bottom, which makes me think that it could be a polymer. Two quick tests would be looking at it under a “black light”: if it glows, it’s definitely plastic. if not, it could still be a different polymer. The second test would be the “hot pin test”: heating a needle to red hot and pressing the point into the base to see if it melts or burns, taking note of the smell. If it smells like plastic, it is. If it smells like a dentist’s office after a day of drilling, it’s more than likely ivory.
Anyone know the artist or the authenticity of this item? Let us know in the comments.
Douglass Moody, a longtime scrimshaw collector responded below, reprinting his response here:
“This is a well-documented, mass-produced resin replica of a scrimshawed whale tooth, colloquially known as Fakeshaw. It is NOT a reproduction, because an authentic original never existed.”
Thank you, Douglass!