Dolphin skull covered in scrimshaw of ships, foliage, a butterfly, and flags, from 1750-1850. (all photographs by the author for Hyperallergic) 19th century whalers could be at sea for years, and for ...

Scrimshaw artist Brian Kiracofe on the art of engraving on ivory and bone. Scrimshaw dates back to the late 17th century when whalers who were out on a long voyage would engrave on ivory and bone ...

Scrimshaw is known for detailed imagery—portraits, wildlife, nautical scenes, and ornamental compositions—cut or etched into ...

Long before there were portable electronic screens to create with and be entertained by, there were much simpler ways to occupy long periods of time. Some of these simpler ways grew to be quite ...

A new exhibition is looking at the traditional art form of scrimshaw through a wider context and contemporary lens. "The Wider World and Scrimshaw” at the New Bedford Whaling Museum in Massachusetts ...

This sperm whale tooth is decorated with a maritime scene. Scrimshaw, or artwork made typically from whale bones or teeth, is often considered one of the first truly American folk arts. American ...

It is 1825, nearing the peak of American whaling, and the seas are still crowded with whales. But hunting the mighty creatures means long, lonely stretches for whaling crews on voyages that could last ...