We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Arts

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Scrimshaw?

Niki Acker
By
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 20,498
Share

Scrimshaw refers to a type of hand made craft created by carving the teeth and bones of whales and other marine mammals. It was traditionally created by sailors during the height of whaling in the 19th century, though it may also be created by modern hobbyists. Anyone who makes this craft is called a scrimshander.

The earliest scrimshaw pieces consisted of tools for use on the ship. The abundance of whale teeth and bones on a whaling ship, combined with the significant free time of whalers, who had no work to do at night, created the perfect environment for the craft to arise. Whale bones are also a fairly easy material to work with.

Scrimshanders soon began crafting more artistic pieces, either for personal use or for sale at the market. Most pieces are simply decorative and preserve the shape of the tooth or bone, while the surface is covered with carving and lettering. The first piece of scrimshaw fitting this description dates from 1817 and offers a narrative describing where and when the whale it came from was caught. Like many old pieces, it is anonymous. Whaling and other nautical scenes, naturally, are a popular subject for this craft, though other designs are often seen as well. Scrimshaw may also take the form of tools, toys, or jewelry.

The manufacture of scrimshaw quickly tapered off as the practice of whaling declined, and the ban on commercial whaling in the 1980s heralded the end of this craft on a large scale. However, some crafters still make scrimshaw using material other than bone. Original pieces are very valuable, and many museums have collections of antique scrimshaw. The Nantucket Whaling Museum and the New Bedford Whaling Museum in Massachusetts, the Kendall Whaling Museum in Connecticut, and the Hull Maritime Museum in Kingston upon Hull, England all hold impressive collections of scrimshaw, but many other museums have smaller collections.

In the United States, modern scrimshaw may be made with pre-embargo ivory, which entered the country before sanctions took effect. Other popular materials include hippo ivory from hippos that have been killed for other reasons, fossilized ivory from mastodons and ancient walrus, antlers — which animals shed yearly — and nut palm or "vegetable ivory." The last type is sometimes called fakeshaw, but it is the only feasible and environmentally sound way to carry on the art form.

Share
Musical Expert is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Niki Acker
By Niki Acker
"In addition to her role as a Musical Expert editor, Niki Foster is passionate about educating herself on a wide range of interesting and unusual topics to gather ideas for her own articles. A graduate of UCLA with a double major in Linguistics and Anthropology, Niki's diverse academic background and curiosity make her well-suited to create engaging content for WiseGeekreaders. "

Related Articles

Discussion Comments
By desertdunes — On Jan 24, 2010

While I'm glad the use of whalebones/teeth is no longer possible, the small collection of scrimshaw I've seen was very beautiful.

I'm certainly glad to hear that a decent substitute (antlers or vegetable ivory) is available, scrimshaw is a lovely art form that shouldn't be lost.

Niki Acker
Niki Acker
"In addition to her role as a Musical Expert editor, Niki Foster is passionate about educating herself on a wide range...
Learn more
Share
https://www.musicalexpert.org/what-is-scrimshaw.htm
Copy this link
Musical Expert, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Musical Expert, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.