PAIR OF SCRIMSHAW WHALE'S TEETH "THE DEPARTURE." AND "THE RETURN.", ATTRIBUTED TO THE BANKNOTE ENGRAVER
A fabulous matched pair of teeth with the finest engravings we have examined by this illustrious scrimshander. The work exhibiting refined skill, painstaking detail for which the Banknote Engraver is famous for. "The Departure." depicts a crowd gathered on the docks, sailors bidding their sweethearts and other loved ones farewell as they board a tender to take them to a ship anchored offshore. "The Return." shows a young man alighting from a carriage, his arms outstretched to greet the people gathered outside a house, while a small dog paws at his legs. Both scenes framed within double line borders, with the title and a lush floral garland above. Reverse of the "Departure" tooth with a portrait of an American two-masted vessel with American flag in heavy winds above a scene of an American ship at port, figures in a rowboat, and an orderly arrangement of warehouses, buildings and church spires. Reverse of the "Arrival" tooth with two lovebirds on tree boughs above a scene of an American three-masted gunship sailing under the light of a crescent moon. The kissing love bird scene is often found amongst several Bank Note engravers works on teeth and busks. Both lower scenes framed within complex saw-tooth, scalloped and pique borders. Tips and bases of both teeth encircled by elaborate matching ribbands. These borders are not the same as a more commonly viewed set of borders but is of the same style and complexity as the more standard designs. (SC1301)
Condition: The teeth are in excellent condition and have a warm deep patina.
Reference 1: "Wandering Whalemen and Their Art: A collection of Scrimshaw Masterpieces" pages 136-144. By Alan Granby and Published by Hyland Granby 2022. The Bank Note Engraver created many pairs of teeth several illustrated on these pages. Pages 137 depicts a similar pair in size and shape of the teeth along comprable detail and patina.
Reference 2: Ingenious Contrivances, Curiously Carved, Scrimshaw in The New Bedford Whaling Museum by Dr. Stuart Frank, Published by David Godine 2012. Works by the Bank Note engraver appear on pages 35, 39 and 43.
Dimensions: Height - 6 3/4, Width 3 inches.
