Scrimshaw

Scrimshaw is a miniature Ritz and engraving technique in animal materials such as ivory, horn or bone. In part, plastics are used.

The term scrimshaw dates back to the era of the whalers, who drove in the 18th and 19th centuries with the ornament of whale bones and teeth while traveling and at home their free time. You " scrimmten " best on the teeth of the sperm whale, which were incurred as a waste product during whaling. Most of the work on sperm whale teeth and whale bones come from North American whalers. The tusks of walruses were often decorated with scrimshaw.

For making a scrimshaw the work surface is first mirror polished smooth. In this the subject is then scrimmed with a fine, needle- pointed tool, ie scratched or very finely dotted. It is operated under a magnifying glass or a microscope. To visualize the subject after scrimming the entire surface is rubbed with ink and wiped again. Where the surface of the material has been processed, the color sticks. Most multiple passes are required, the exact number depends on the hardness of the material and the experience of the artist.

Today only walrus tusks or whale's teeth are rarely used, often comes fossilized mammoth ivory is used, which is found in Siberia and Alaska free and is commercially available. Depending on the regulations of individual countries is scrimmed also registered with CITES papers elephant ivory from old stocks. Also antler, bone, horn or Micarta and Corian (plastics ) can be used.

Wherever earlier whales were caught, you can admire valuable, antique scrimshaw in museums today. John F. Kennedy gave a famous Scrimshawsammler this art more notoriety. The finest scrimshaw commonly found on hand crafted, valuable collector's knives, in which the handles are made from any of the above materials. In the maritime scene still images from the seafaring are popular. Also belt buckles, pistol grips, pool cues and jewelry are adorned with scrimshaw. Especially in the USA good scrimshaw of known Scrimshawkünstlern have become sought-after collectors' items.

However, attempts are also made "antique" with fake scrimshaw to fool inexperienced buyers. Also, new objects are provided with printing techniques in Scrismhawstil and " decorated with Scrimshawmotiv " as sold or similar misleading terms as a genuine scrimshaw.