Scrimshaw

Scrimshaw were made by whalemen in early 19th century. later it was made by families of sailors in Azores islands and Madeira island. Most of the decorative one are collected by Museums. In 1970's British company started making fake scrimshaw for collectors. It was well made by plastic compound.One of the book published by Kendall Whaling Museum says that many pieces in collections previously thought to be genuine sailors' scrimshaw are actually the creation of the late Manuel Cunha of Madeira Edward Burdett (1805-1833) made a beautiful scrimshaw on sperm whale tooth. It is now exhibited at Kendall Whaling Museum. It was formerly of the Hollander Family Collection on deposit at Mystic Seaport Museum.(Image Database Serial No.1) Mr. Greenwood's collection is also Italian made fake. Venus is seen in the back.