Scrimshaw is a type of folk art that involves the carving or engraving of designs on ivory or bone. It has a long and fascinating history, dating back to the early days of whaling in the 18th century.

The term "scrimshaw" originally referred to the practice of carving designs on whalebone or ivory items, such as the handles of knives or tools, by sailors and whalers during their long voyages at sea. The practice was widespread among sailors of many different nationalities, including Americans, British, Dutch, and Portuguese.

At first, scrimshaw was a practical art form, as sailors used it to create useful items for themselves or to trade with locals in foreign ports. However, over time, scrimshaw evolved into a highly skilled and artistic form of expression, with sailors creating intricate designs and scenes on everything from ivory tusks to whale teeth.

Scrimshaw artists used a variety of tools more...

33 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

A fine pair of engraved scrimshaw buffalo horns mounted in red…

Australian-themed Engraved Buffalo Horns on Red Velvet Mount

A fine pair of engraved scrimshaw buffalo horns mounted in red velvet, adorned with Australian motifs including kangaroos, an Aboriginal in a dugout canoe, a kookaburra eating a snake, swans, emus and riders, 19th century, 45 cm wide overall

An antique powder horn with scrimshaw design of a yellow and…

Scrimshaw Powder Horn: Yellow & Black Bird Design (26cm)

An antique powder horn with scrimshaw design of a yellow and black bird, length 26 cm

A 19th century scrimshaw cattle horns, decorated with a seated…

19th Century Scrimshaw Cattle Horns with Ornate Decoration

A 19th century scrimshaw cattle horns, decorated with a seated gent in ornate regalia, two female figures, one standing the other seated reading, vegetables and foliage, on a later oak and leather mount, 64 cm wide

An antique scrimshaw powder horn engraved with hunting scenes…

18th/19th Century Scrimshaw Powder Horn with Hunting Scenes and Limerick

An antique scrimshaw powder horn engraved with hunting scenes and limerick, 18th/19th century, 40 cm long

A pair of antique scrimshaw cow horns, 19th century. With…

19th Century Scrimshaw Cow Horns with Note

A pair of antique scrimshaw cow horns, 19th century. With accompanying note 'John Menzies, Porter Hill, Maldon. Workman on property' 41 cm high

An antique powder horn with scrimshaw decoration, early 19th…

Early 19th Century Scrimshaw Powder Horn

An antique powder horn with scrimshaw decoration, early 19th century, 30 cm long

A pair of scrimshaw bullock horns, the horns decorated with…

Scrimshaw Bullock Horns with Military and Maritime Scenes

A pair of scrimshaw bullock horns, the horns decorated with military gentlemen, a paddle steamer, etc, length 33 cm.

American powder horn late 18th-early 19th century, engraved…

Engraved Scrimshaw Powder Horn with Mermaid and Animals

American powder horn late 18th-early 19th century, engraved scrimshaw horn (bovine), engravings and low relief designs (with initials), depicting a mermaid, animals, birds, and abstract symbols, length 32 cm

Early 19th century horn mull, finely scrimshawed with country…

Scrimshawed Horn Mull with Country House and Plough

Early 19th century horn mull, finely scrimshawed with country house, plough, thistle and more, finished with badger

A scrimshaw powder horn with whaling scene engraved 'Sperm…

Sperm Whaling Scrimshaw Powder Horn

A scrimshaw powder horn with whaling scene engraved 'Sperm Whaling, So Be Cheery My Lads, Let Your Hearts Never Fail, While The Bold Harpooner Is A-striking The Whale', 24.5 cm long

A scrimshaw powder horn engraved 'Allen Martin', 33 cm long

Engraved Powder Horn by Allen Martin

A scrimshaw powder horn engraved 'Allen Martin', 33 cm long

A scrimshaw powder horn with lion and coat of arms, 19th…

19th Century Scrimshaw Powder Horn with Lion and Coat-of-Arms

A scrimshaw powder horn with lion and coat of arms, 19th century, 30 cm long

A 19th century scrimshaw powder horn, formed from an oxen horn,…

19th Century Scrimshaw Ox Horn with Sailor and Woman Portrait

A 19th century scrimshaw powder horn, formed from an oxen horn, engraved with a portrait of a sailor and a woman, base and stopper fittings absent. Length 34 cm.

A 19th century scrimshaw powder horn, fashioned from an oxen…

19th Century Scrimshaw Oxen Horn Powder Horn

A 19th century scrimshaw powder horn, fashioned from an oxen horn, engraved with figures of two women, one on horseback. Length 36 cm

A pair of Australian horn scrimshaw powder mulls, the pair each…

Australian Horn Scrimshaw Powder Mulls with Nautical Motifs

A pair of Australian horn scrimshaw powder mulls, the pair each intricately incised with images of sailing ships, an Advance Australia crest, crocodiles, and other related nautical and safe journey motifs, 38 cm long.

A Scrimshaw horn decorated with emu, black swan and sailing…

19th Century Scrimshaw Horn with Emu, Swan, and Ship Decoration

A Scrimshaw horn decorated with emu, black swan and sailing ship, late 19th century, 51 cm long

A pair of 19th century Scottish engraved and mounted bullock…

19th Century Scottish Engraved Bullock Horns with Figures

A pair of 19th century Scottish engraved and mounted bullock horns, traditionally engraved with figures including a seated gent wearing a kilt, two women, one reading and other decorative floral and fruiting motifs, scrimshaw engraved with most black…

A scrimshaw powder horn engraved 'Advance Australia, William M.…

1868 Scrimshaw Powder Horn with Ship and Coat of Arms

A scrimshaw powder horn engraved 'Advance Australia, William M. Martin Esq. Beechalparroo River', signed and dated 'Louis M.F. Gauvin, Maker, Goollahdy, 1868, Parroo River', superbly decorated with tallship and Coat of Arms, 30 cm

Georgian scrimshaw / engraved powder horn inscribed George IV,…

Georgian Scrimshaw Powder Horn with Engravings and Inscription

Georgian scrimshaw / engraved powder horn inscribed George IV, C:1820 engraved with ship, fish and thistles, plus list of Jamaican Towns, length 29 cm approx D.Brown, XCI Reg. (Probably Argyllshire Highlanders ) Britania Niurrun Town Port Riyale Fort…

Antique scrimshaw horn 19 cm long engraved with a man smoking a…

Smoking Man Scrimshaw Horn with Floral Engravings

Antique scrimshaw horn 19 cm long engraved with a man smoking a pipe and floral motifs

Two powder horns with scrimshaw and carved decoration, 19th…

19th Century Scrimshaw and Carved Powder Horns

Two powder horns with scrimshaw and carved decoration, 19th century, 33 cm and 40 cm,

A scrimshaw powder horn engraved with a tallship and kangaroo…

Scrimshaw Powder Horn with Kangaroo and Tallship Engraving

A scrimshaw powder horn engraved with a tallship and kangaroo after George Stubbs' 'The Kongouro of New Holland'. Stubbs was an English painter best known for his paintings of horses. His painting of 'The Kongouro from New Holland' was the first painting…

A scrimshaw powder horn decorated with birds, animals and…

Birds, Animals and Portraits Scrimshaw Powder Horn

A scrimshaw powder horn decorated with birds, animals and portraits, 52 cm

A pair of scrimshaw bullock horns, decoratively worked with…

Maori Scrimshaw Bullock Horns on Wooden Mount

A pair of scrimshaw bullock horns, decoratively worked with Maori portraits, weapons, native birds and landscapes, fitted to a wooden mount. Width 56 cm

A powder horn with scrimshaw decoration of tall ship, harp,…

19th Century Scrimshaw Powder Horn with Nautical Decorations

A powder horn with scrimshaw decoration of tall ship, harp, village scene etc., early 19th century. 35 cm. Note: This lot has been identified at the time of cataloguing as containing organic material which may be subject to restrictions regarding export

Rare horn scrimshaw cup with hunting scene detail, circa 1819

Hunting Scene Horn Cup, 1819

Rare horn scrimshaw cup with hunting scene detail, circa 1819

A finely carved scrimshaw horn, second half 19th century,…

"Munificence of Hull" Scrimshaw Horn

A finely carved scrimshaw horn, second half 19th century, incised 'Munificence of Hull', 28 cm high

A carved and incised buffalo horn scrimshaw by Louis M. F.…

1870 Buffalo Horn Scrimshaw by Louis M.F. Gauvin

A carved and incised buffalo horn scrimshaw by Louis M. F. Gauvin, dated February 15th 1870, further incised 'Louis McGauvin Maker, Tambo Barco, P.W. Mulalley, Tambo Inn Barcoo River' with a tall ship and an Advance Australia coat of arms, 36 cm long.…

A powder horn with scrimshaw decoration, a barque in full sail,…

Scrimshaw Powder Horn with Masonic Insignia and Barque Decoration

A powder horn with scrimshaw decoration, a barque in full sail, above the inscription 'Louis M.E. Govin, Maker, AD1868, Cadargah, Queensland', and with Masonic insignia beneath a scroll inscribed 'Friendship and Truth' (Some damage). Note: See Christies,…

A pair of scrimshaw cows horn with Maritime relating scenes

Maritime Scrimshaw Cow Horns

A pair of scrimshaw cows horn with Maritime relating scenes

Scrimshaw horn decorated with emu, black swan & sailing ship,…

Emu, Swan, and Ship Scrimshaw Horn (Late 19th Century)

Scrimshaw horn decorated with emu, black swan & sailing ship, late 19th century. 51 cm

Three scrimshaw powder horns, 19th century, with naive incised…

19th Century Scrimshaw Powder Horns with Naive Incised Decoration

Three scrimshaw powder horns, 19th century, with naive incised decoration of archers, mermaids, sailing ships, serpents, fish and gentleman at leisure drinking, within banded borders, the largest 43 cm long

North American scrimshaw Bugal moose caller horn

Bugal Moose Caller Scrimshaw Horn

North American scrimshaw Bugal moose caller horn