Dolphin skull covered in scrimshaw of ships, foliage, a butterfly, and flags, from 1750-1850. (all photographs by the author for Hyperallergic) 19th century whalers could be at sea for years, and for ...

Scrimshaw artist Brian Kiracofe on the art of engraving on ivory and bone. Scrimshaw dates back to the late 17th century when whalers who were out on a long voyage would engrave on ivory and bone ...

Scrimshaw is a traditional art developed by 18th-century sailors on whaling ships. To pass the time during journeys that could last years, sailors took to hand-carving intricate, flowering designs in ...

Click to open image viewer. CC0 Usage Conditions ApplyClick for more information. A 20-gun American sailing warship covers the upper portion of one side of this intricately detailed scrimshaw sperm ...

Appraisal: Scrimshaw Whale Tooth, ca. 1840, from Boise Hour 2. Check out Ken Farmer's appraisal of a scrimshaw whale tooth, ca. 1840, in Boise Hour 2.