Color scrimshaw on ancient walrus tusk ivory by Matt Stothart. Veteran scrimshander, Stothart, seems to get better and better. His work has been prized by knowing collectors for decades. This is a perfect example of his first class work. Note the way the color in the ivory seems to blend seamlessly into the rocky platform upon which the wolf watches. Very nicely done. Exceptionally large piece of ancient walrus tusk ivory, by the way. Impressive stand completes the picture. Weight: 1 pound, 6 oz.
Color scrimshaw on ancient walrus tusk ivory artifact by David Smith. Very strong work by master scrimshander, Smith. He brings you right into the hypnotic eye of the snow leopard. Ivory was used as some type of tool hundreds of years ago, but not quite sure just how it was used. Large, heavy piece of tusk weighs nearly one pound! The more you view this one, more you will simply love the piece.
Mother Triceratops with Baby Carving – Unusual carving on ancient walrus tusk ivory of a mother and child triceratops. Why not? Signed on the base A.R. Actually this is excellent work. Note each scale on the two is carefully delineated. Love the way the smaller on has his head slightly turned, taking in the scene. The more one sees this work, the more it grows on one. Nicely done.
Black and white scrimshaw on complete ancient walrus tusk ivory by Charles Emerson. Powerful work by Emerson, who is no longer doing any scrimshaw. His portraits of everyday life in the Arctic are prized. Seldom does his work appear on the open market today. This is from the collection of one of our long time clients who is no longer with us. This is a complete ancient walrus tusk, not broken or chipped. Magnificent color on the front and the back is unusual in that the outer layer had partially eroded indicating that it may have been “beach” ivory for a brief period of time. The entire tusk weighs almost four pounds! It does not come with a stand.
Color scrimshaw on an impressive ancient walrus tusk ivory artifact by Heidi Robichaud. This was created by Robichaud in 1985 and is from the collection of a client who is no longer with us. He had his own oak stands made for most pieces in his collection with space for a brass nameplate to be engraved with a title and name of the scrimshander. Unfortunately, he never got around to that part. One does not have to be a dance enthusiast to appreciate the lines and beauty of the ballerina. This is done on one of those artifacts that we never come across anymore. It was used as an ice axe and also as a type of whetstone to shape thick fish bones that would be used as sewing needles, hence the grooves in the side. Amazing, indeed. This massive piece of ivory weighs over 3 pounds! We won’t see another like this again.
Black and white scrimshaw on ancient walrus tusk ivory by Charles Emerson. Looks like this patient craftsman is fashioning a sled runner out of walrus tusk ivory, unaware that hundreds and hundreds of years in the future, these tools and artifacts would be used to create scrimshaw. Really like the way Emerson has added just a touch of blue in the background. You almost do not notice it at first glance. From the collection of one of our long time clients who is no longer with us. Great opportunity to add an Emerson work to one’s collection as he is not longer doing scrimshaw.
Black and white scrimshaw on ancient walrus tusk ivory by Mary Simpson. As a youngster prepares to venture on his first solo, he receives final instructions. Very fine stipple work by scrimshander Simpson. This is from the collection of one of our long time clients who is no longer with us. Probably created in the early to mid 1980s. Not familiar with Simpson’s work.
Black and white scrimshaw on ancient walrus tusk ivory artifact by David Smith. As night approaches, this guy is looking for a meal. No doubt he will find it and there will be fewer critters around the barn. Love the way Smith has created the background, giving the impression of impending darkness. The ivory was used as a tool by ancient Eskimos in the Northern Bering Sea area hundreds of years ago. Not much of this rare ivory found anymore. Nice piece from a long time collector who is no longer with us.
Color scrimshaw on ancient walrus tusk ivory artifact by David Adams. Rarely seen King Leopard depicted by Adams. This cat is a hybrid of other leopards and was not considered in the leopard family until fairly recently. The stealthy cat is making its way down rocks to the edge of an unseen stream. Love the composition in this one. This is done on a museum quality ancient walrus tusk ivory net sinker. Both holes are completely intact, which is rare. Most are mounted on a horizontal base, so this created a challenge for the scrimshander. Adams nailed it. Nice lacewood stand completes the picture.
“King Leo Knife” Color scrimshaw on ancient walrus tusk ivory by Matt Stothart. What an impressive piece-the knife, stand and scrimshaw! Custom knife by well known knife maker Ed Friedly using his “Elmer Keith” style of knife. Just the knife itself is a work or art, but when you add the bocote wood stand by Cash and Stothart’s right on scrimshaw, then you have something special. We don’t get many of these, but when we do, they go fast.