Scrimshaw Basket
Dateabout 1850-1855
MediumWhalebone and copper
ClassificationsEquipment
Credit LineGift of Charles Wilson
DescriptionOval whalebone basket consisting of twenty open-carved slats ending in spear-shaped tips. A half-rounded band of whalebone encircles the slats near the top, and is fastened with copper pins. The bottom of the basket is open-carved with a variety of repeat geometrical shapes, with a five-pointed star at center.
Object number1856.8.0
NotesHistorical Note: According to museum records, this was made at sea by Charles Wilson, using the jaw bone of a sperm whale. (Hudson 5/10/2006)Charles Wilson was probably from Hartford Connecticut. The Hartford City Directory has three listings for a Charles Wilson, probably this man. The 1855-1856 lists him as a filer boarding at 30 Front Street; the 1856-1857 lists him as a rifle maker boarding at 203 Main Street; and the 1860-1861 lists him as a machinist at 38 Mulbury Street. (Hudson 5/10/2006)
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