Scrimshaw hippopotomus tusk on stand

hippopotomus tusk

SCRIMSHAW & ALLIED ARTS - TUSKS
marad; scrimshaw
Lewis, Theodore
1836
overall: 7 3/8 x 13 1/2 x 6 1/4 in.

Scrimshaw hippopotomus tusk (2008.109.5.A) on a separate wooden stand (2008.109.5.B). Five different vessels and a lighthouse on a hill depicted on one side. Verso inscribed: " A TOOTH OF THE SEA HORSE PROCURRED AT DELAGAD [sic.] BAY / ENGRAVED ON BOARD SHIP ATLANTIC OCT. 1836 / LAT 37.30 S / LONG. 78.30 E. / THEODORE LEWIS."; the unusally shaped, stained wooden stand rests on four feet, two of which end in carved, rounded pieces of bone, and supports the tusk in notches at each end; see Log 822, Manuscripts Collection, G.W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport Museum, for description of voyage by Theodore Lewis, physician.

2008.109.5.AB