While
the origin
of the word Scrimshaw is
uncertain, we know that this art has been practiced since
revolutionary times. It did not, however, receive wide spread
recognition until President John F. Kennedy, an enthusiastic collector,
brought Scrimshaw to the public eye.
The
American Whaling Fleet has
ceased to exist. However, this art is being carried on by a few
American artisans. Scrimshaw is the indigenous art form of the American
Whaleman. In his idle hours of cruising for whale, he devoted himself
to fashioning articles and jewelry of whale ivory.
Today, the ivory
trade in the United States has been reduced to "pre-embargo ivory" -
ivory that was brought into the states before sanctions were set in
place; hippo ivory - which is taken from animals that have been culled
from the herds or that have killed human population; and fossilized
ivory - ivory from ancient walrus and mastodons.
Here at scrimshaw.com, we are utilizing this and other
alternatives.
One of which is a nut palm (also called "vegetable ivory") which
polishes to an incredible likeness of ivory, and whose hardness and
durability rivals that of ivory as well. There are also other
resources, such as fossilized ivory, antler (which drop off every year
- if you can get them before the raccoons do!), and more.
If you are a
Scrimshander and would like to show your work here, I'd be more than
happy to provide links to your site for free. Simply contact me at
aperkins@scrimshaw.com Come visit
http://www.gardenhacker.com,
my fledgling gardening site for a
quick view of some time saving ideas!
