Beautiful bracelet with four cabochons, initials WAD or WAP on sterling silver:
“Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. The photo shows the piece that has the clearest artist signature on it; the rest are under the silver or barely visible but they appear to be the same.
From Hal:
“I am a knife collector in the St. Louis. MO area and acquired a knife with a scrimshaw of an elk head signed Curtis ’84 and would like to get more information about the artist and possibly the knife maker.
“My research points to a Jean E. Curtis of Lansing, MI as the artist but I am unable to find any additional information about her. I would like to get information about her work and if possible, contact her to see if she has any additional information about the knife.
“Local knife makers, collectors, and dealers agree that the scrimshaw is impressive. They also think the handle scales are possibly some form of ivory, though probably not elephant.
“The knife also has a logo/trademark on the blade with Cantini – Weirton, WV. I’ve contacted RW Knives of Weirton, WV a custom knife maker ([email protected]) and they had no information.
Cantini seems to be a popular name and I’ve spent a lot of time going through logos and trademarks with no success so far.
Any information about the scrimshaw or knife would be greatly appreciated.”
Anyone know the knifemaker or the artist? We’d love to know. Respond in the comments section below.
We have another mystery artist with the initials “VF”.
“… I have acquired several knives and need help identifying the scrimshaw artist Attached is a picture of several pieces in the collection of Bob Ogg folders Looks like a backward FV It’s a long shot but these ae of an engraver that I’m trying to locate as well….”
Further information forthcoming, and pict
ures below.
Purchased on the west coast of Canada, the owner of this scrimshaw of the USS Bear (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Bear_(1874) and http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/49/49029.htm) is searching for more information on the artist and the piece itself.
The owner writes: “… I have no idea if this is an antique or modern creation, the material (though I’ve been told it’s fossilized walrus ivory), or if it was genuinely a net sinker before being scrimshawed. Lastly, I am curious about value. It does appear to be signed “J.E.” or “S.E.” ”
Any information regarding the artist and or it’s age would be greatly appreciated – feel free to comment in the comments section below. Clicking on any of the images will bring them up to full size.
We have another mystery artist, this done on walrus tusk or possibly elephant, hard to tell from the pics, though the scrimshaw is very nicely done. Unable to find a signature, though if the artist is known, the owner would love to know more about them.
