Collection Scrimshaw / bone boxes

[Liturgyson]

I've found a few boxes made during the Vicksburg siege. Anyone know anything about them or know where there are others?

 

[major bill]

Are they made from bone?

 

[Liturgyson]

Are they made from bone?

I believe so.

 

[Liturgyson]

More photos

 

[major bill]

Some interesting work on the boxes.

 

[Fairfield]

Scrimshaw is quite popular in New England where whale bone and ivory were usually used. As an art form, I think it is quite old. Like all ivory work, it is illegal to create such works today and such work is done on polymer. This means that genuine scrimshaw is quite pricey.

 

[Liturgyson]

Scrimshaw is quite popular in New England where whale bone and ivory were usually used. As an art form, I think it is quite old. Like all ivory work, it is illegal to create such works today and such work is done on polymer. This means that genuine scrimshaw is quite pricey.

Thank you much for the feedback.

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy. Nice looking items

 

[Liturgyson]

I'm looking for more as they become available. There are stunning similarities among the few I've seen and I'd love to trace them to a particular soldier/sailor or group.

 

[Fairfield]

I'm looking for more as they become available. There are stunning similarities among the few I've seen and I'd love to trace them to a particular soldier/sailor or group.

I'd start with the nearest big museum that displays scrimshaw. The ones that I know are in New England--but if you fool around with Google, you'll find something closer than New Bedford, MA (also more knowledgeable about your finds). Museums are great sources of information.

 

[Pollaco]

This reminds me of the story of Douglas the Camel. It should be no problem looking him up. After he was killed at Vicksburg, and all the meat was consumed by hungry soldiers, the bones were carved up as souvenirs. These look like fairly large bones, a possible connection?

 

[Tom Hughes]

This reminds me of the story of Douglas the Camel. It should be no problem looking him up. After he was killed at Vicksburg, and all the meat was consumed by hungry soldiers the bones were carved up as souvenirs. These look like fairly large bones, a possible connection?

I was thinking the exact thing.
Regardless, that very interesting. Thanks for sharing.