Decorated shell commemorating maiden voyage of steamship GREAT EASTERN

decorated shell

SCRIMSHAW & ALLIED ARTS
marad; scrimshaw
Wood, C.
Indo-Pacific
July 10, 1860
shell
overall: 4 x 6 3/4 x 6 1/4 in.;3 7/8 x 6 3/4 x 6 in.

A decorated shell of turbo marmoratus, a gastropod known as the green turban snail, native from South and East Africa to the Indo-Pacific, the outer layer of the shell stripped to the iridescent nacre or 'mother of pearl' layer, carved or etched with an illustration commemorating the maiden voyage of the sidewheel steamship GREAT EASTERN, the vessel shown above a spread eagle bearing a ribbon with the name of the vessel, above details giving the size of the vessel; at left center: "Designed by J. K. Brunel / Built by J. Russell"; in center: "first trip across the Atlantic arrived at New York 28 June 1860"; at right: "Purchased on board / by / Lewis Hotchkiss / and most affectionately present / ed to his wife Eliza / Executed with a penknife / on board by C. Wood/ 10th July 1860."; the artist thought to be Charles H. Wood (b. England circa 1820), working on board vessels 1850-1870 and selling his work dockside in New York and Australia.

1959.1222