19th Century Monumental Scrimshaw Whale Tooth, circa 1863, featuring a well- detailed engraved image of the Bark “Rajah”

19th Century Monumental Scrimshaw Whale Tooth, circa 1863, featuring a well- detailed engraved image of the Bark “Rajah” with billet head, gun ports and reef points, sailing on calm seas, beneath a garland of tobacco leaves, with name engraved at bottom; the reverse has a finely engraved elaborate polychromed American eagle with spread wings, patriotic shield, banner inscribed “E. Pluribus Unum,” clutching arrows and fig leaves, all within a radiant corona; above a finely engraved image of the United States Capitol Building, signed “F.D.”

This is an exceptionally well done piece of scrimshaw, with very desirable images on both front and back, executed on a very large and broad tooth. The artist “F.D.” has not yet been identified. The image of the Capitol dates to circa 1863, and definitely before 1884.

The tooth remains in very good condition with only minor, short age checks scattered about the base. The original black ink remains clear and strong; the red on the shield is well faded but still clearly discernible. The tooth has been mounted on a vintage  cherry wood oval base with chip carved perimeter.

This piece of antique sailor’s folk art is engraved a tooth from a sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), is well over 100 years old, and is in full compliance with federal law as specified in the Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972), Endangered Species Act (1973), and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Director’s Order No. 210 (as amended 2014).

Measures: 7-1/8 in H x 4-1/8 in W x 1-5/8 in Deep

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