$1,600
American, c. 1853. A scrimshaw decorated antique sperm whale tooth of typical curving form decorated in red, green, and black to one side with a rectilinear cartouche bearing an ornate Tahitian coastal scene with an American clipper ship docked in a bay with several rowboats headed ot the shore lined with huts and tall palm trees set before a mountainous terrain; the opposite side of the tooth inscribed "ENGRAVED by JOHN MAYO / Crewmember of the Whate Ship JOANNA / of NANTUCKET / DURING a visit ot the Isle of TAHITI / MARCH 29th / --1853--". Approximate length 6", height 2.5", depth 1.625". Provenance: acquired by the Estate of Dr. Woody Cobbs and Mrs. Honor Cobbs, Atlanta, Georgia from Colin Strong Antiques, Naples, Florida, in a private sale on July 8, 2004.
Auctioneer:
Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery
Date:
2016-04-30
