Carving

Title:

Susan's Tooth

Object Name:

Carving

Object ID:

1987.502

Creator:

Myrick, FrederickArtist

Place of Origin:

Nantucket, MA

Date:

1829

Description:

Carving. Scrimshaw whale's tooth, known as a "Susan's Tooth." Carved August 20, 1829, by Frederick Myrick, on the ship Susan of Nantucket. Obverse engraved with ship "Susan", with boats pursuing a whale. Banner above ship is inscribed "The Susan on the coast of Japan." To right of ship is eagle holding banner with legend "E. PLURIBUS / UNUM". Below eagle, on crown of tooth, are two crossed flags with inscription "Engraved by F. Myrick August. 20th 1829". Above ship, on side of tooth, is inscription "Ship Susan of Nantucket / Frederick Swain / Master". Reverse engraved with ship Susan with no boats down, approaching lighthouse. Banner above ship is inscribed "The Susan on her homeward bound passage". To right of ship is an anchor. Above ship, on side of tooth, is inscription "Death to the living long life to the killers / Success to sailors wives & greasy luck to whalers". Garland around base and eagle.

Material:

Skeletal
Ivory

Dimensions:

W-2.5 L-6.25 inches

Provenance:

The famous scrimshaw engraver, Frederick Myrick (1808-1862), of Nantucket, MA, was the first of any nationality to sign and date some of his scrimshaw, a practice that was never universally adopted among scrimshaw artists. On his second whaling voyage to the Pacific Ocean, on the ship Susan of Nantucket during 1826-29, Myrick produced at least 36 engraved teeth, each bearing two detailed portraits of a single ship on the whaling grounds or homeward bound. At least 18 of these teeth were engraved by Myrick during the first voyage.

The Susan was built in 1826 and its first voyage lasted from 08/21/1826 to 10/27/1829. She was lost going into the Arctic, 04/26/1853.

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society Collection

People:

Myrick, Frederick (1808-1862), Swain, Frederick

Subjects:

Whales, Whaling, Ships