“King Leo” black and white scrimshaw done on ancient walrus tusk crosscut ivory by Caroline Bertrand. Artistic rendition of King Leo by Bertrand. Reminds one of quick sketches that portrait artists do in one sitting. This would be a nice addition to any scrimshaw collection, simply because of its style.Great price on this one done in 1994. From the collection of one of our clients who is no longer with us.
“Aphrodite Rising From the Sea” black and white scrimshaw on ancient walrus tusk ivory by Daryl Morris. Greek goddess of love and beauty rises from the sea foam, a fully grown woman. Morris’ depiction of this myth is simply perfection, from the foam to the light illuminating her face and hair. This one has it all. Discerning collectors seldom, if ever, let a piece like this go on the open market. It is from one of our collectors who is no longer with us, but he always had impeccable taste. Ivory was used as some type of tool hundreds of years ago in the Northern Bering sea area. Stand by the late Ken Fredericks completes the picture.
“Woman in White” color scrimshaw on ancient walrus tusk ivory by David Adams. Etherial portrait of a beautiful woman in white, somewhere in an opening deep in the forest. Sunlight illuminates her expressive upturned face. One can only wonder what thoughts she has at this moment. This took a great deal of work by Adams. Not easy to completely black out the background, leaving just enough for the touch of green leaves and branches. Love the coloring of the moss covered boulder upon which she is perched. Beautiful, touching work by one of the best working today. Very heavy piece of ancient walrus tusk ivory, by the way. Custom stand completes the picture.
“Clipper with Full Sails” black and white scrimshaw on large slab of ancient walrus tusk ivory by Andre Dolenko. Scrimshander served in Russian submarine service before coming to U.S. years and years ago. Nice, professional work by Dolenko, from the collection of one of our clients who is no longer with us. Beautiful stand completes the picture.
“Captain Nemo’s Nautilus” black and white scrimshaw on ancient walrus tusk ivory by David Smith. Nemo has his searchlight on in the deep, deep sea. Love the deatil of the Nautilus crest in the lower right hand corner. Very heavy, solid piece of ivory, by the way. This giant octopus might not approve of this intruder into his realm. Story to be continued by the new owner. Mounted on a beautiful piece of cocobolo, this one is a keeper!!
“Wanderer at Sea” black and white scrimshaw on huge ancient walrus tusk ivory artifact by the late Kelly Mulford. Monster piece of ancient walrus tusk ivory that probably weighs well over two pounds! Cannot get the actual weight as the stand is firmly attached. Speaking of the stand, this is a masterpiece by the late Ken Fredericks. The coiled rope is not attached, but part of the entire piece of wood. Beautiful in inlay with the Mulford whale and the base has a marvelous inlay of a harpoon. This is truly a one of a kind creation. Mulford was one of the most versatile of the Bellingham scrimshanders. He could do first rate wildlife, portraits and nautical in black and white or color. Look closely at the stern of the whaler and see the name, Wanderer, etched on the stern. Amazing detail. Mulford created this in 1999. If it were done today in would be thousands more. From one of our clients who is no longer with us. Probably the best bargain for work of this caliber in the whole Gallery. Don’t pass this one up, it is that good.
“A Dead Whale or a Stove Boat” black and white scrimshaw on ancient walrus tusk ivory artifact by Dan Cronan. Ivory used as an ice axe or digging tool by people in the Northern Bering Sea area 500 to 1000 years ago. This is from the collection of one of our clients who is no longer with us. Not much ivory of this caliber around today. Note that it was created in 2002. Scrimshander is known for excellent black and white nautical scenes. Quote is from Moby Dick. Rare opportunity to obtain a first rate Cronan scrimshaw for 2002 prices.
“Battle of the Ironclads – 1862” black and white scrimshaw on ancient walrus tusk ivory by David Adams. Famous Civil War battle scene that Adams brings alive. Very thick and heavy piece of ancient walrus tusk ivory mounted on one of the best pieces of cocobolo that we have seen. Information from the internet:
The clash between the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia (built from the remains of the USS Merrimack) at the Battle of Hampton Roads (March 9, 1862) is historically significant because it was the first-ever combat between ironclad warships. This event instantly rendered the world’s wooden navies obsolete and marked the dawn of modern armored, steam-powered naval warfare.
“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!
“Lighthouse Compound” black and white scrimshaw on ancient walrus tusk ivory artifact by the late Salman Rashidi. Fine use of artifact used as a sled runner by natives in the Northern Bering Sea area hundreds of years ago. Fine detail by Rashidi of the lighthouse itself with the addition of a passing schooner on the right side. From the collection of one of our clients who is no longer with us. Stand was lost along the way. Not many Rashidi pieces around these days.