Sperm whale tooth with scrimshaw engraving of the 'SS James Watt'
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Object number2019.00007
TitleSperm whale tooth with scrimshaw engraving of the 'SS James Watt'
DescriptionA sperm whale tooth mounted on a modern wooden base. The tooth is engraved with a detailed image of the paddle steamer 'James Watt' which was built in 1821 and was the first steam vessel to be registered in Lloyd's Register. The engraving shows the paddle steamer on a calm sea. The vessel has one funnel and three masts, all rigged with fore-and-aft sails. The sails are all set, and there is no smoke coming from the funnel. Flags fly from all three mast tops, and two lifeboats can be seen, one hanging over the side between the ratlines of masts number 2 and 3, and the other one over the stern of the ship. Underneath the vessel the words 'The James Watt, 1822' are engraved.
The tooth is fitted to the wooden base with a pin, but is loose and the tooth rotates on the base.
Object namescrimshaw
Object categorydecorative art
Techniqueengraved
Dimensions
- tooth height: 20 mm
tooth width: 40 mm
tooth length: 135 mm
including base height: 40 mm
including base width: 88 mm
including base length: 119 mm