19th Century Sailor’s Scrimshaw Bone Ditty Box

19th Century Sailor’s Scrimshaw Bone Ditty Box, circa 1850, an oval band box made from thinly cut and bent whale bone, engraved with a Ship, Eagle, Rooster, Flower, Pinwheel, and Curtain Swag or Wave borders, fastened to a green painted wood bottom and a black painted wood top, mounted with a diamond shaped plaque of what appears to be thin horn, possibly whale bone, with a very faint and illegible inscription.

The box remains in great condition. The corner of the overlapping strake on the lid broke and was re-adhered at some point in the far past.

Measures: 3-1/4 in H x 8 in L x 6 in W