Scrimshaw Walrus Tusk [1849]

Title: Scrimshaw Date: [1849] Century: 19th century Country: United States Type: Scrimshaw Material: Walrus ivory tusk embellished with black and red scrimshaw decorations Dimensions (cm): 54.6 cm H x 16.5 cm W (allowing for curve) x 14.3 cm D Description: Scrimshaw walrus tusk scribed with various designs. At top, the U.S. federal shield atop a tall column inscribed "PHILADELPHIA, Pa./ MEMORY/ of/ WASHINGTON". Beneath this, barefoot Liberty carries an American flag with 17 stars. At base of the tusk is a bare-knuckle boxer labeled "SULIVAN" who is fighting a boxer labeled "HYER," imagery pertaining to the 1849 prize fight between Tom Hyer and "Yankee" Sullivan. Above Hyer is an image of a young woman holding a fan. Above her is another young woan holding a tethered dove. Repository: From the Collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society Repository Item Record: Powder horns 008 East Stacks, http://balthazaar.masshist.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&BBID=201218 Rights: Public Domain