Whale tooth

A sperm whale's tooth carved in high relief with a figure in classical drapes holding a scroll with its left arm resting on a column. The carving is within an elliptical laurel wreath. The base of the tooth is cut level. Formerly the property of Captain William Tolley Brookes (1791-1874), master of the whale ship 'Active' in the 1830s. This type of sailor's craftwork is known as scrimshaw.

Object Details

ID: AAA0018
Collection: Decorative art
Type: Whale tooth
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Date made: circa 1835
People: Brookes, William Tolley
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: 39 x 140 x 51 mm