Scrimshaw collection

The scrimshaw collection includes over a hundred carved or etched bone items such as thimbles, needle and pin cases, figurines, crochet hooks, pie crimpers, glove stretchers, cribbage boards, handles for various items such as umbrellas, flat panels with pictures, walking sticks, sailor's fids, pipes, watch stands, dice and drinking cups, powder horns, dominoes, button hooks, dice, toothbrushes, shoe horns, spatulas, a manicure set, and stockwhip handle. Scrimshaw is produced by engraving, carving, inlaying or assembling bone mainly from marine mammals. Walrus tusks, dolphin and pilot whale jaw bones and other animal bone were used, though sometimes ivory or shells. The most common form of scrimshaw and best represented in this collection are sperm whale teeth. Many are finely decorated with images of women, whaling scenes or other memories from home.