Whalers at New Bedford Wharf

Gerry Dupont Scrimshaw - Whalers at New Bedford Wharf

“Whalers at New Bedford Wharf” black and white scdrimshaw on ancient walrus tusk ivory artifact by Gerry Dupont. Outstanding work created in 2006 by Dupont. Depiction of New Bedford in its heyday. Love the detail from the eagle on the stern to the bounty of whale oil barrels. Interesting artifact used as fire starter (see indentation on left side) but, even more interesting, is the geometric design scratched on the back of the tusk. Quite rare. This is from the collection of one of our clients who is no longer with us. Excellent opportunity to add a first rate Dupont to one’s collection at 2006 price.

 

Loading Whale Oil Barrel

Gerry Dupont Scrimshaw - Loading Whale Oil Barrel

“Loading Whale Oil Barrel ” black and white scrimshaw on large slab of ancient walrus tusk ivory by Gerry Dupont. Workers strain to load a heavy barrel of whale oil. Extremely well done piece by Dupont that was created in 2009 and is from the extensive collection of one of our clients who is no longer with us. You can make out the lettering on the top of the barrel. Great touch with the gear scattered along the dock and the sails in the background. Very large linear cut slab of walrus tusk mounted on a handsome stand complete the picture. This one has it all.

Ship’s Carpenter

James Lee Scrimshaw - Ship's Carpenter

“Ship’s Carpenter” black and white scrimshaw on ancient walrus tusk ivory artifact by James Lee. Excellent depiction of grizzled shipwright working on the Sunbeam. Nice detail with the tools in the handmade basket at his feet. Ivory used as a digging or scraping tool hundreds and hundreds of years ago. From the extensive collection of one of our clients who is no longer with us. Very well done.

Pirate Ship Attack

David Adams Scrimshaw - Pirate Ship Attack

“Pirate Ship Attack” color scrimshaw on ancient walrus tusk ivory by David Adams. Pirates flying the Jolly Roger engage an unseen quarry. Judging from the cannon on the pirate ship, the end will be quick. Extraordinary detail by scrimshander, Adams, on this one. Impressive strand completes the picture. A winner all the way around.

In the Heat of Battle

Steve Willeford Scrimshaw - In the Heat of Battle - Steve Willeford Scrimshaw

“In the Heat of Battle” black and white scrimshaw on ancient walrus tusk ivory artifact by Steve Willeford. Tremendous amount of detail by Willeford in this scene. Willeford does not create many pieces now and they are prized whenever they appear. Take time to really study this one as it is unlike any other scrimshander working today. Really like the way he has added a bit of sepia tone, matching the tones in the artifact. Ivory was used as ice axe hundreds and hundreds of years ago in the Northern Bering Sea area. Not much of this around today.

Bengal Cooling

David Adams Scrimshaw - Bengal Cooling

“Bengal Cooling” color scrimshaw on ancient walrus tusk ivory artifact by David Adams. Bengals love water and this one seems to be having a great time. Note the reflection in the water, whiskers and coat. Incredible work by Adams here. The ivory was used as an ice axe hundreds of years ago in the Northern Bering sea area. It is quite heavy; the back side shows how it was worked. There was just a hint of workable surface on the front side and see what Adams had created. The dark chasms in the background had no workable surface, but Adams created the side of the mountain with the stream running down the crevice. Brilliant touch. This illustrates how he studies the complete piece before beginning his work. Elegant stand completes the picture. A keeper if there ever was one!

Old Ironsides in Storm

Gerry Dupont Scrimshaw - Old Ironsides in Storm

“Old Ironsides in Storm” black and white scrimshaw on ancient walrus tusk ivory by Gerry Dupont. Dramatic rendering of famous warship in stormy weather. Carrying all of her sails, Old Ironsides will probably outrun the weather. Scrimshander, Dupont, has taken full advantage of the color in the walrus tusk to create the dark, gloomy atmosphere. Great  touch by one of the best. Handsome stand completes the picture.

Wolf in Winter

David Adams Scrimshaw - Wolf in Winter

“Wolf in Winter” color scrimshaw on ancient walrus tusk ivory by David Adams. Wolf carefully stalks an unseen prey after heavy winter snowfall. A badger, hidden in his burrow, watches. The shading of the snow on the branches is simply amazing. One can feel the extreme cold and almost hear the rippling water in the stream. Note how Adams has worked the distant forest in the background. Wildlife scrimshaw does not get any better than this. Primo heavy chunk of ancient walrus tusk ivory completes the picture.

Chicken Family

Unknown Artist - Chicken Family

‘Chicken Family’ carving on ancient walrus tusk ivory by unknown artist. Excellent detail on this charming piece done on ancient walrus tusk ivory.

Epic Undersea Battle

Gerry Dupont Scrimshaw - Epic Undersea Battle

“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.