Category: Mystery Artist

Mystery Artist #23 “FJG”

Mystery Artist #23 “FJG”

Posted on by Andrew Perkins

Picture of two tusks from Mystery Artist 23We have another mystery artist! This one has the initials “FJG” who had done a large work on a pair of tusks, including scenes of ships in battle.  Some small areas are colored as well.  Inscribed on the back of one of the tusks is “Sept 23 1965 Mekoryuk Alaska” with some simpler scrimming, which looks like it was done by a different artist.

Clicking on the pictures will bring them up in full resolution.

Any ideas? Comment below if you know the artist, the owner would love to find out more information about these wonderful scrimshaws.

 

Initials FJG Vertically in a Diamond - Mystery Artist 23Closeup of two battling ships scrimshawed on one of the tusks from Mystery Artist 23Ships battle in the background with coins on the shore and a pirate stands by - Mystery Artist 23Sept 23 1965 Mekoryuk Alaska and other primitive markings - Mystery Artist 23

Mystery Artist(s) – #21 – Story Bracelet

Mystery Artist(s) – #21 – Story Bracelet

Posted on by Andrew Perkins

Story Bracelet - Mystery Artist 21-1We have a story bracelet which the owner is looking for the artist as well as other information:

“Hello, I purchased a gorgeous sterling silver and scrimshaw bracelet at the flea market today and, while attempting some research on it, I found your website.  I’m hoping you might be able to help me id an artist and/or era for this.  I’m not sure on the material the scrimshaw is on.  I can’t find any cross hatching that would indicate ivory but also cannot find any pits to indicate it is bone.  It Story Bracelet Mystery Artist 21-2 Closeup of first two charmsdoes have some lovely curving lines often seen on ivory beads but I am not knowledgeable myself to be sure of the piece.  One thing that might help identify this is it appears as if the back side of each panel was filled in with a clear resin that has darkened over the years.  Not sure if that is a trait of some artist or not and not sure why it would be there other than to protect the pieces.

“Anyway, I have attached a couple of photos and have more if you need them.  Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.”

Story Bracelet Mystery Artist 21-3 - Compass Rose Mystery Artist 21-3Story Bracelet Mystery Artist 21-4 - the back of the charms showing the resin described in the post.-Sally

The bracelet was purchased in St. Petersburg, Florida.  Anyone familiar with the artist or the piece can reply below, the owner will greatly appreciate it!

Clicking on the pictures will bring up high resolution images.

Note: The numbering is off, but this one is our first Mystery Artist in 2016.

Mystery Artist #22 – Pirate, bought in Paris France…

Mystery Artist #22 – Pirate, bought in Paris France…

Posted on by Andrew Perkins
Pirate scrimshawed on a whale tooth
The stance as well as the angle of the guns creates a memorable pic. He seems to be compensating for the rolling waves or has just come from the tavern, but either way it’s time to duck!
Another shot of David Weir's Pirate on a whale tooth
Clicking on the image will bring it up full size.

Mystery Artist #22 was purchased in Paris France about ten years ago.  The signature appears to be “EC”, or perhaps “CC” in the lower left corner.  The stance along with the “toothpick” in his mouth shows him steadying himself either due to heavy seas or perhaps he just came out of the tavern?  Either way, it’s a memorable pic.  Anyone who knows the artist or their whereabouts and can let us know more about them it would be greatly appreciated. it’s a wonderful piece of scrimshaw!

 

UPDATE – Found the original illustrator: Howard Pyle

From the late 19th to the early 20th century, Howard Pyle wrote and illustrated during this time, being one of “the founders of present-day Illustration”.  A brief history can be found here: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Howard_Pyle%27s_Book_of_Pirates/Foreward

The original illustration can also be found there.

Mystery Artist 20 – Two Teeth from “Mageee”

Posted on by Andrew Perkins

From Florida we recently had an inquiry regarding two scrimshawed whale teeth, from what appears to be two different artists.  John writes:
“… I came across your website looking for some info on two pieces of Scrimshaw Art that my father left for me when he died. I know nothing about the art, so I figured I should find an expert.
Is there anyway you can help me identify these two pieces? Artist, medium, worth?
I will eventually sell them in case you do that. Thanks in advance for any help you can lend me. …”

Below you can see the artwork and two drastically different teeth – one very pointy and one very rounded. Both could have been from the same whale, but it’s doubtful.  The first tooth has the initials “E F” while the second has the interesting signature of a number and a seagull, which should lead us to at least the second artist quickly (we hope):

Rounded whale tooth with a ship and a lighthouse scrimshawed on the one side.
Whale Tooth 1 from Mystery Artist(s) #20

 

Base showing the nerve cavity of Mystery Artist #20 - the rounded whale tooth with the ship and the lighthouse
Base of Mystery Artist 20

 

Left side of Mystery Artist #20 tooth #2 showing a ship
Left Side of Mystery Artist #20 tooth #2

 

Base of Mystery Artist #20 tooth #2 showing the nerve cavity
Mystery Artist #20, tooth #2 base

 

Opposite side of Mystery Artist #20 tooth #2 with the signature 140 and the seagull
The mysterious signature “140” with the Seagull

 

Sperm Whale Teeth, Oxford
From Flickr.com, a photo of the lower jaw of a sperm whale with the different shapes of it’s teeth

Any ideas?  Feel free to comment below, we hope to find more information about the artist(s) if at all possible.

Mystery Artist #19 signed “Goudis” Found!

Posted on by Andrew Perkins

It’s been awhile since we’ve had a mystery artist.  Philippe has inquired about this piece of scrimshaw. It’s 57cm long, signed GOUDIS:

Portion of mystery artist scrimshaw 19 featuring something in the water and a bird to the right
Mystery Artist 19 pic 1
Possibly the opposite side of pic1 showing a ship and several whale tales
Opposing side of pic 1?
Mystery artist 19 whale breaching the water to the right
Whale breaching the water
Tip of the piece from mystery artist 19 showing a large brown spot.
Tip of the piece of scrimshaw from Mystery artist 19
full length of the scrimshaw piece mystery 19
Full pic of the mystery scrimshaw 19
signature of mystery artist 19 - goudis
Mystery Artist 19s signature

By the looks of it, it may be an “oosic” or “oosik” – the penile bone of a walrus (you can see other examples of unadorned oosik at boonetrading.com and here).

We’re currently not sure where Philippe had acquired it, but we’ll update this post with more information as we can.  Feel free to comment on this and if you know the mystery artist Philippe would be thrilled to get more information about them.

I’ve passed the information on to Philippe, and appreciate Emmanuel and Ashley taking the time to write!  Any information you feel you can share publicly would be of interest to all of our readers, but if you prefer private emailing, that’s okay, too.