Trompe L'Oeil Poly-ChromedScrimshaw Tooth by Jose Marmol
Exceptional depiction of the Great Seal of the United States, as seen on the back of the one dollar bill. One side with the national coat of arms, the stripes on the eagle's shield colored red. Other side with the truncated pyramid topped by an Eye of Providence. Mounted on a wooden stand. (SC1298)
Dimensions: Height No Base: 4 1/2, Height with base: 5 1/2, Inches
Condition: The scrimshaw work is strong has no signs of fading. There are typical surface cracks on the tip and base. The tooth has a wood and metal base.
Provenance: Barbara Johnson Whaling Collection, Sotheby's New York, April 29-30, 1983, Lot #142. The catalog notes the tooth is signed, but we were unable to find the signature. The tooth is now mounted on a different base than it was at the time of the Sotheby's auction and the signature probably appears on the bottom of the tooth or the old original base.
Provenance: The Edward McManus Collection of Marine Art.