Mystery Artist Archives - Page 3 of 13

Category: Mystery Artist

Mystery Artist 48 – Steve Barlow?

Posted on June 3, 2019June 3, 2019 by Andrew Perkins

Barlow is a name many people recognize in scrimshaw. Just about everything I’ve ever seen on finished goods such as knives, belt buckles, lighters, jewelry, etc. This one is scrimmed on what appears to be a whale tooth, and was inherited recently.

Mystery Artist 48 - close-up of the ship and the flock of seagulls

An amazing amount of seagulls circle the ship, more than the typical 2-5 on most scrimshaws. The front is extremely polished while the back is dull and unpolished. We’re waiting for a picture of the signature which will hopefully be provided soon. The owner writes:

“I have this piece that is scrimshawed and is absolutely beautiful. I don’t know if it’s a whale tooth or walrus. It’s signed by Steve Barlow. I have attached a couple of pictures and hope that maybe you can guide me to finding someone that can tell me if it’s a real original or a Knock-off. I received it from as an inheritance and have no clue. …”

The signature appears as “Steve T Barlow”…

Base of tooth appears to the right. While there is a nerve cavity, the sides appear quite thick…

If you have any knowledge of the piece, please leave your comments below.

Mystery Artist 47 – Mnmnmnm?

Posted on May 7, 2019May 13, 2019 by Andrew Perkins

A whale tooth from a Goodwill store in Ohio… you never know where you’re going to find a treasure.

“I purchased a scrimshaw Walrus tooth at a Goodwill store Ohio. I didn’t know what it actually was. Just thought the tooth was Neat with drawing on it, Then googled and was reading1 This is how I found your site. I was looking at signature and it looks like wwnnnww LoL”

2019-05-13 — Special thanks to Douglass Moody for the following information:

Special thanks to Douglass Moody for the quick and informative response: ” Naguruk, Nuguruk and Nunuk
As per Dorothy Jean Ray in her book A Legacy of Arctic Art, page 148, ” I saw names like “Nunuk” and “Nuguruk” inscribed on pieces at a time when most ivory art was anonymous; few Eskimos in Nome vicinity signed their work, and if they did, they used a binomial… I later learned that these objects were made in Seattle, usually mass-produced from a master engraved on ivory pieces, usually elephant ivory, with a tag “genuine ivory”, which were then sent to Alaska, where customers mistakenly thought they were buying Eskimo-made objects of walrus ivory,”
http://www.ahgupuk.com/Naguruk%20Nuguruk%20Nunuk.html
Douglass and many other collectors can be found on facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/scrimshawcollectorsguild/
Here you can find both artists and collectors of this engaging art.

Anyone recognize the artist? It’s a great style. Post your responses below if you know, and thanks for looking!

Mystery Artist 46 – McAlexander VII

Posted on January 6, 2019January 6, 2019 by Andrew Perkins

Mystery Artist 46 - Bison (American buffalo) on antler button signed McAlexander VII — Click on picture to bring to full size.

A Bolo tie with a scrimshawed bison (American buffalo). On the back is scribed “McAlexander VII VII”. 1977? Epoxied connector on the back, braided leather tie, antler tips. Waiting on geographic location, but wanted to get the pics up in case anyone knows the artist. Any clues? Feel free to let us know in the comments below.

Mystery Artist(s) 45 – Ship Roman and Bark Arrow

Posted on October 21, 2018November 25, 2018 by Andrew Perkins

Mark writes:

“I just came across your website scrimshaw.com and wonder if you may be able to help identify the following two whale’s teeth scrimshaw scrimshanders. The boats in question are:

Ship Roman (No initials but there is history on the Ship Roman)

Bark Arrow (Has the initials JA however I can find no history on the Bark)

I have tested the ivory with a hot pin and

both passed.

Hope you can help

Many thanks,

Mark (UK)

By the looks of the pics and the scrimshaw they appear authentic, though I haven’t found any information on them so far. Several replicas of the ship Roman, though not with this exact scrimshaw.

The Bark Arrow does have some information online (http://www.cah.utexas.edu/db/dmr/gallery_lg.php?s=84&gallery=exxonmobil). Searching for “Bark Arrow” with quotes reveals a lot of links.

Anyone familiar with the pieces or the style? Feel free to comment below.

Mystery Artist(s) 44 – Help Identifying Tooth Tip

Posted on August 18, 2018 by Andrew Perkins

Julie writes:

“…

spent time on Nantucket as a college student in 1976-77. I purchased a couple of pieces of scrimshaw while there and and think maybe the scrimshander was Peter LaJoie but not sure.

Also, I inherited a piece of very primitive looking scrimshaw from an uncle that was an antique collector. He died about 20 years ago at the age of 97. I have no idea where the piece originated but it does seem to be authentic whale tooth cut from the tip of a tooth. I wondered if it was someone’s early attempt at scrimshaw. It is coincidentally signed with a PL also although it is in script. I’m sending pics of the items and hope you can assist me in identifying them. Thank you for your time and consideration.”

Scrimshaw Cabochon with initials "PL" of a lighthouse and ship

Lighthouse and Ship on walrus ivory, small cursive "L" to the right

Side of tooth tip with cursive initials "PL"

Below are the pictures Julie provided for us. Can anyone identify the artist(s), and regarding the tip, would this be whale or possibly walrus? Add your comments below.