“Clipper Bound for SF” black and white scrimshaw on ancient mammoth tusk ivory bark by Gerry Dupont. Fast clipper ships were the main means of transportation from the East Coast to San Francisco and the gold fields. At one time there were over 600 abandoned vessels in San Francisco Bay as whole crews would jump ship and head to the gold fields. Nice piece of mammoth ivory and Dupont has done it justice with this gem.
“Whaleship Searching” black and white scrimshaw on ancient walrus tooth ivory by Gerry Dupont. Elusive whales make for a long voyage. The average whaling voyage was around three years. Long day at the office, indeed.
“Brigantine all Alone” black and white scrimshaw on ancient walrus tooth ivory by Gerry Dupont. Scrimshander always does his best, time after time. So much detail on these ancient walrus teeth. Fine stand with mammoth ivory caps it off.
“Clipper Nearing Lighthouse” black and white scrimshaw on ancient walrus tooth ivory by Gerry Dupont. Clipper leaving port, heading for California during the Gold Rush. At one time, there were nearly 700 abandoned vessels in San Francisco Bay as the crew would jump ship and head for the Gold Country.
“Drake vs Ranger 24 April 1778” black and white scrimshaw on ancient mammoth ivory bark by Gerry Dupont. Famous battle of the Revolutionary War, as the American vessel took the war to the English shores for the first time, capturing the British man-o-war, Drake. Although the British had larger cannons, they were not as quick at loading as the Americans and soon gave up after an hour and change. Excellent work by well known scrimshander, Dupont. Note the title engraved on the top of this thick piece of mammoth ivory. Nice touch.
“Clipper Coming Home” black and white scrimshaw on ancient walrus tooth ivory by Gerry Dupont. Long voyage coming to an end with familiar lighthouse guiding the way to safe harbor. Award winning scrimshander, Dupont, always does first rate work.
“Epic Undersea Battle” black and white scrimshaw on ancient walrus tusk ivory artifact by Gerry Dupont. Sperm whale and giant squid battle deep in the ocean’s depths. It was not uncommon to discover large sections of flesh torn out of the massive whales by this squid. This is done on a piece of ancient ivory used as a tool hundreds of years ago. Interesting that just enough enamel was left to create a work of art after all of the time it was buried. Great color in the ivory.
“Graceful Schooner” black and white scrimshaw on ancient walrus tooth ivory by Gerry Dupont. Excellent composition by Dupont on this tooth.
Schooners were built primarily for cargo, passengers, and fishing. The Norwegian polar schooner Fram was used by both Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen in their explorations of the poles. Bluenose was both a successful fishing boat and a racer.
Schooners were built primarily for cargo, passengers, and fishing. The Norwegian polar schooner Fram was used by both Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen in their explorations of the poles. Bluenose was both a successful fishing boat and a racer.
“San Francisco Bound Clipper” black and white scrimshaw on ancient walrus tooth ivory by Gerry Dupont. Everyone wanted to search for gold in 1949. Many arrived by fast moving clipper ships. At one time there were over 700 abandoned ships in San Francisco Bay; the crews would jump ship to search for gold.
“Humpback Looking Around” black and white scrimshaw on ancient walrus tooth ivory by Gerry Dupont. Huge breaching humpback wants to see or be seen. Not sure which. Great composition here by one of the best working today.