How much is scrimshaw whale tooth worth?

A scrimshaw whale’s tooth sold for a record-breaking $456,000 at a Cape Cod auction last week. The prized 8-inch tooth piece depicts a 19th-century whale ship, the William Tell, flying an American flag.

How do I know if my scrimshaw is real?

To accomplish this test, heat a pin until it’s almost red hot and then touch it to an inconspicuous part of the item. If it scorches and smells like burning bone, you’ve got a real piece on your hands. The pin test will cause polymer or plastic to melt into the piece and emit the smell of burning plastic.

Is scrimshaw legal?

19th and 20th century scrimshaw, scrimshaw crafted before 1989 (elephant) or before 1973 (sperm whale ivory, walrus ivory etc.) is legal. It is prohibited after that year for commercial import in the U.S. under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

How do I sell on scrimshaw?

If you plan to sell the piece, an art auction house will necessarily authenticate your scrimshaw. Many large American cities also have art appraisers that can authenticate scrimshaw for a fee. Conversely, a local art museum or university art department might be willing to examine your heirloom scrimshaw for free.

Why is it called scrimshaw?

anything made by sailors for themselves in their leisure hours at sea is called Scrimshaw-work,” 1864), it seems likely that Jane Scrimshaw’s name and legendary lifespan gave us a word meaning “crafts done to pass the time while at sea for a really, really long time.” And people still think that means something.

Can you sell whale teeth?

To illustrate, prior to the 1972 act, large whale teeth sold in the U.S. for $10 to $15 each. Now they sell for $300 to $500 each. However, they can still be purchased outside of the U.S. for $10 to $15 each.

What does scrimshaw look like?

The appearance of genuine scrimshaw will be florescent bright white under the light. Even if a scrimshaw piece is ivory, how can a collector determine its age? Madden noted that when whalemen harvested ivory or bone the surface was relatively soft and easier to engrave. When it dried out, it becomes very hard.

Can scrimshaw be sold?

Under the Endangered Species Act, any scrimshaw item that can be proved to be 100 or more years old can be sold interstate; any other item cannot. Reproductions, copies and fake scrimshaw items often can fool the novice.

Can you sell scrimshaw on Ebay?

You cannot sell: the following Ivory items; Canes, Jewelry, Chess Pieces or sets, Figurines, Scrimshaw, this includes Netsukes etc. You cannot sell anything made from Whalebone or any other marine animal regardless of when it was harvested.

What is scrimshaw made from?

scrimshaw, the decoration of bone or ivory objects, such as whale’s teeth or walrus tusks, with fanciful designs. The designs, executed by whale fishermen of American and Anglo-American origin, were carved with either a jackknife or a sail needle and then emphasized with black pigments, commonly lampblack.

What tools are used for scrimshaw?

You don’t need much to practice the ancient art of scrimshaw, and the only scrimshaw tool you actually need is a needle. That’s right, sailers often used a sail needle, which has a triangular head, to make their scrimshaw.

What is scrimshaw made of?