Roughly translated as “to waste time” the term “scrimshaw” came about sometime in the 18th century to describe a style of craft usually done by sailors on long whaling excursions. Such carvings would have mostly been done on the teeth of sperm whales, the sailors meticulously carving using sewing needles or pocket knife points into polished sections of tooth and rubbing oil mixed with soot or ink into the cut grooves to produce detailed images.

This box is a modern example of a scrimshaw-style trinket box, carved from water buffalo horn and inlaid with gold to create the image of a ship at sea in stormy weather. The brass latch forms the image of an owl when closed, and the interior is a green flocked lining.

SKU: 21V20281