Panel

An engraved whalebone panel made from the lower jaw of a sperm whale and pierced with two suspension holes. It depicts a ship off the shore of a volcanic tropical island with houses along the shore. The vessel may be a warship flying a long commissioning pennant rather than a whaler. The location could be Tahiti or one of the other Society Islands. This type of sailor's craftwork is known as scrimshaw.

Object Details

ID: AAA0029
Collection: Decorative art
Type: Panel
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Date made: Mid 19th century
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: 110 x 260 mm