Japanese Carved Sperm Whale Tooth, 19th-20th Century

National Museum of American History

Addthis Share Tools

Object Details

Description
Although there is carving on this sperm shale tooth, it is not scrimshaw by the traditional definition. Rather, it is a deeply engraved portrait of a woman by a Japanese ivory carver. The signature characters on the back of the tooth translate as “Carved by Light Happiness.”
The subject’s cape or cowl covering her head and upper body is decorated with chrysanthemums, a flower often associated with the royal family. However, her teeth are white, possibly indicating middle class origins. Fashionable upper class Japanese women had blackened teeth.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Frederic Delano
19th-20th century
ID Number
DL.382803
catalog number
382803
accession number
165206
Object Name
tooth, whale
scrimshaw tooth, whale
Physical Description
scrimshaw (overall production method/technique)
tooth (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 6 7/8 in x 3 3/8 in; 17.4625 cm x 8.5725 cm
See more items in
Work and Industry: Maritime
Cultures & Communities
Art
Scrimshaw
National Museum of American History
Record ID
nmah_309423
Metadata Usage (Object Detail Text)
CC0
Although there is carving on this sperm shale tooth, it is not scrimshaw by the traditional definition. Rather, it is a deeply engraved portrait of a woman by a Japanese ivory carver.
There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
View manifest View in Mirador Viewer