Scrimshaw.com Store

Posted on by Andrew Perkins

Scrimshaw on eco-friendly materials.  Choose from a variety of accessories, create your own scrimshaw with our easy to use templates, or browse our store for inspiration!  Custom orders available. 
You can currently reach my Etsy store with this link:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/scrimshaw

Select items are available at our Amazon Store, too!

Assortment of Scrimshaws

We’re also dabbling with a Shopify Store, available here: https://Scrimshaw21.com – there are a few items available there you can’t find anywhere else, and for a limited time personalization cost is 50% off. We’re growing this store between keeping the others stocked and keeping the driveway clear of snow.

Mystery Artist 61 – Navajo Style Bracelet

Posted on by Andrew
Ivory Cabochon with scrimshaw depicting a blonde woman's portrait facing left and looking to the right

This is a fascinating piece. Purchased by her father in the early 1990’s, this is a silver bracelet with a rectangular cabochon that appears to be ivory depicting a woman with golden blonde hair which looks to me to be early 20th century style with a bandana or similar. The simple elegant lines hide the fact that there is subtle shading in the cheeks, the blue in the eyes and the hair tie, and the hair coloring.
One letter “O” with a tail jutting off to the top left reminicent of a stem(possibly Cheri?) or perhaps some other meaning – kind of reaching on that thought. The only other marking is that of what I’m thinking is a Phoenix on the bracelet’s cuff.

The owner is curious about the history of the artist and would like to know more about who made this memorable and cherished bracelet.

Bottom of bracelet with artist's mark which looks like a Phoenix

Anyone familiar with the artist? Please let us know in the comments below!

Mystery Artist 60 – Doug or Derek Fine? – Verified!

Posted on by Andrew Perkins

Christian from Germany sent me a picture of a vintage knife with scrimshaw that is for sale on their version of “Craigslist” called “Kleinanzeigen.de”. Well worn, probably used daily, the scrimshaw is still quite visible, as is the artist’s mark. Thanks to Jim Stevens’ page “Scrimshaw Artist Marks and Signatures“, I think I found the artist.


The mark resembles Doug Fine’s, and the scrimshaw may be one of his earlier ones by the looks of the knife and the work. Doug’s work can still be found today at the Whaler’s Locker.

Digging through the wayback machine, I was able to find that Doug was an artist at the site LahianaScrimshawMaui.com, no longer on the web. It seems Doug’s son Derek is still active, though at https://www.mauihands.com/project/derek-fine/ . I’m attempting to contact him to verify if this was his or his father’s work.

Maui Hands responded quickly:
“Aloha Andrew,
Thank you for your message and inquiry. Happy to help!
Here’s what Derek had to say:
‘Wow, I haven’t seen that work for awhile,
That’s my Father, Doug Fine, we have the same initials,
That’s why I put DD Fine on my work.’

Mahalo,

Catherine”

Mystery Artist 59 – Uncovering Ciampo: Artist Behind 1970s Scrimshaw Pendant from Thrasher Galleries (store now closed)

Posted on by Andrew Perkins

Lisa is looking for more information on the artist who scrimmed “Puss-In-Boots” in the 1970’s:

“I came across your site and found your contact info in one of the Mystery Artist conversations. I was given a scrimshaw pendant made of “prehistoric fossilized ivory”, which was purchased by my dad at a gallery event back in the late 70’s – the show featured works from master scrimshander Michael Wood (at

Thrasher Galleries in San Carlos, CA – now closed). The pendant is set in “fine silver” and the stone in the hat is an opal. The signature on the bottom right side says “ciampo”. I have a flyer from the show stating it’s on prehistoric fossilized ivory (flyer photos attached). …

… Any chance you can find something out about this artist, or the pendant’s value?”


Anyone remember Ciampo or the Pacific Ivory & Silver Company? Leave your response below to help Lisa find out more about this unique treasure!

Scrimshaw in France on Magnificent Knives

Posted on by Andrew

Once in awhile on a Sunday I’ll do a search for scrimshaw or some variation of it. This morning I was thinking of trade scrimshaw. While making breakfast and avoiding technology (and putting off shoveling the snow from the driveway), I tried to describe trade scrimshaw as I would to someone unfamiliar with the term and came up with this: “Trade scrimshaw captures a subject with an efficient use of lines, stipples, shading and detail, creating a pleasing and memorable piece of art while minimizing the impact on the recipient’s wallet and the artist’s hours left on earth.” There are less cheeky definitions out on the web, but this one fits me like my comfortable wool flannel shirt and well worn dog-walking shoes.

It was while I was comparing my thoughts on trade scrimshaw with what was out on the web that I ran across https://www.fontenille-pataud.com/en/recherche?s=scrimshaw. The knives themselves are useful works of art – another fascination of mine. Art comes in a variety of forms: many are to be observed, studied, thought about and argued over but not touched – never touched. Useful works of art is probably not the best description of what I’m fascinated with, but “practical art” doesn’t fit either. Oh well.

The knives created by Fontenille-Petaud are truly beautiful from their choice of metal and finish to the selection of scales and filework, along with the mechanisms themselves. It is a pleasure to see such artistry and craftsmanship twenty five years into the 21st century.