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W 1875

"Ceres" Tooth
Description

SOLD

W 1875. IMPORTANT SCRIMSHAW TOOTH BY "CERES A ARTISAN". Beautifully engraved tooth with the front depicting the classic sailor standing by an anchor with an American Eagle over his left shoulder. Flowing around him is a banner with the caption "FREE TRADE AND SAILORS RIGHTS". The reverse with an elaborate polychrome scene depicting a man and woman embracing in a very formal room. This scene is known as "The Corsair's Farewell" and is based on an early print titled "Conrad and Medora". See Stuart Frank's books "Ingenious Contrivances, Curiously carved" page 32 and "Scrimshaw and Provenance" page 123 for a full description of this scene. Also note that below the fancy geometric border are lightly engraved initials "FS". Also flowing around the scenes on each side side of the tooth are floral vines with red flowers. New Bedford Whaling Museum research attributes this work to be by the "Ceres A Artisan" William A Gilpin. A tooth with the exact same "Conrad and Medora" scene is in the New Bedford collection and I have another in my own collection. 8" tall x 2 1/2" wide. Circa 1837-42. Condition excellent. A superbly executed example by the Ceres Artist considered to be the most skilled of them all.

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We Buy Antique Scrimshaw & Whaling Artifacts

We are always interested in purchasing nautical antiques. If you are selling one piece or your entire collection we would appreciate hearing from you.

John F. Rinaldi

107 Ocean Avenue
PO Box 765
Kennebunkport, Maine 04046

Tel: 207-967-3218 - Cell: 561-789-6930 - Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.