Scrimshaw tooth, "Soundings laid down in fathoms in low water - Boston"

tooth

SCRIMSHAW & ALLIED ARTS - TEETH
marad; scrimshaw
Rouse, John
USA, MA, Boston
1790 (see note)
6-1/4 in.; base 3-1/2 in.

Ivory tooth showing a carved map "Soundings laid down in fathoms in low water - Boston", "Nautick Miles" under the scale of miles. Reverse side "This CHART Sculpt'd/ in the Y'R 1790 AD/ by/ JOHN ROUSE/ who shipped as/ MATE/ ab'rd the/ SEA HOUND/ out of/ NEW BEDFORD/ 1788-89-90" engraved in torn scroll. Probably NOT a period piece of scrimshaw.

1939.1732