Scrimshaw tooth with engraving of whaling ship MECHANIC

scrimshaw tooth

SCRIMSHAW & ALLIED ARTS - TEETH
marad; scrimshaw
Pratt, Spencer
USA, RI, Newport
ivory
Overall: 6 5/8 x 3 x 1 5/8 in.

Sperm whale tooth. On front, broadside portrait of a full-rigged ship under plain sail on a port tack, in a circular frame with sawtooth border, inscribed within, "Mechanic/ H. Daggett Commndr," surmounted by a patriotic device and the motto in two ribbons above, "Forget/ Me Not"; below, a composite figure of Liberty and Plenty, seated with a cornucopia, holding a vertical Liberty Pole surmounted by a LIberty Cap; and a blindfolded figure of Justice standing, with left arm akimbo, the Scales of Justice suspended in her left hand, with her right arm outstretched, holding an upright sword. Above all of this is a circumferential band of stars, surmounted by a patriotic device of six flags lit by a radiant sun or star. On back, larboard sternquarter portrait of an American warship with two gun decks, under full sail with studding sails set on the fore and main, flying a pennant and the American ensign; in a circular sawtooth frame crowned by a patriotic device of four flags and radiant sun or star, and two ribbons with an inscription; surmounted by a patriotic eagle-and-fouled-anchor device under an arch of olive branches and laurel wreath.
Refers to Henry Daggett, first master of MECHANIC, 1834-1838. See Malley, "Graven by the Fishermen Themselves," page 52.

1955.1037