Scrimshaw tooth

tooth

SCRIMSHAW & ALLIED ARTS - TEETH
marad; scrimshaw
C.B.T.
New Zealand
5.88 x 3.00 x 0

Whale tooth, etched on one side tropical native dancing on beach, tattoo designs on face, figure wears shorts; in background a fortress with British flag, palm trees, 10 marching figures, dugout boat; inked on other side "C.B.T." Inked with sepia ink. Probably a tattooed Maori native of New Zealand; possibly torsal tattooing rather than shorts. Possibly view of Te Wahapu, where troops were garrisoned in Bay of Islands, NZ, 1840-1845 (see CHARLES W. MORGAN log #145 page 209 in G. W. Blunt White Library for mention of "Waapoo"); tattooing shown on tooth not typical, not detailed, no tattooing on forehead or chin.

UNIDENTIFIED dugout
1939.1772