Walrus Tusk Whaling Scrimshaw 1866
July 8th, 2011Scrimshaw is an art form that dates back over 200 years to the whaling days of New England.
The making of scrimshaw began on whaling ships around 1745 to 1759. It is most commonly made out of the bones and teeth of sperm whales, the baleen of other whales, and the tusks of walruses. It takes the form of elaborate engravings in the form of pictures and lettering on the surface of the bone or tooth. Originally, candle black, soot or tobacco juice would have been used to bring the etched design into view.
Original antique walrus tusk. Fine scrimshaw work. Carved by F.S. Redfield and dated 1866. Carved on the 1865-1866 whaling voyage of the Brig Manuella. Hailing Port - San Francisco, California. Measures Measures 16″ in length. Weight 1 lb., 10oz. Includes Large scene of the Brig itself. Also has a handsome scene of the brig with a sailor with his harpoon. Under the scene is marked “Harpooner”. The name of the ship, carver’s name and date are also scrimshawed. This remarkable piece of whaling history came from the estate of an advanced collector. The Master of the Brig Manuella was R.S. Redfield, brother of the sailor who carved this piece. Master Redfield took the Manuella on two whaling voyages - 1865 and 1866. The third and final voyage of the Manuella was in 1871 with Alonzo Herendeen as its Master. The Brig Manuella was lost in a storm in 1871 off the Baja Coast. There is an area on the West Coast of Baja Mexico called Laguna Manuela. This was named after the wreck of the Brig Manuella which sank near there. The data on this ship and her voyages is in the National Maritime Library. Unique, scarce, investment grade piece of whaling history.


The Brig Manuella. The name of the ship

Carved by F.S. Redfield

















































