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
- National Museum of American History
- Record ID
- nmah_309423
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a1-0b27-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
