Sperm whale tooth engraved by Capt. Benjamin W. Bradford.

tooth

SCRIMSHAW & ALLIED ARTS - TEETH
marad; scrimshaw
Bradford, Benjamin W.
Circa 1832
0 x 8.50 x 0

Large sperm whale tooth engraved by Capt. Benjamin W. Bradford aboard Bristol, RI whaleship CANTON PACKET (bu. 1815, Newbury, MA) during Pacific voyage 1832-1835. On front a port view of an American warship under sail. Lighthouse & schooner at left. On back a whaling scene with whaleship, 3 whaleboats, & 11 sperm whales, partly engraved in stipple style. Touches of red ink highlight blood in scene. Engraved along bottom edge of tooth are initials "B W B" & 2-headed serpent. Both tip & ends encircled by scalloped borders, & end also includes stars, crescents, rosettes, etc. Tooth a gift from Bradford to his mother-in-law Sarah Gorham Peck.

UNIDENTIFIED naval vessel; UNIDENTIFIED schooner; UNIDENTIFIED whaling ship; UNIDENTIFIED whaleboat
1982.2