Title
Octagonal Swift
Date19th Century
Mediumwhale ivory, mahogany, silk, whale skeletal bone, abalone, non-ferrous metal, copper, ribbon
Dimensions[H]8 1/4" __[W]2 1/4", cage closed
Donor credit lineKendall Whaling Museum Collection Transfer
Object number2001.100.338
Institutional Credit LineCourtesy of the New Bedford Whaling Museum
DescriptionThe swift contains a double cage of skeletal whalebone fastened with one row of white metal rivets in the middle and the struts and ribs are tied with cream and red ribbons. The sprockets are made of whale ivory and each contains ten slots. Each single strut becomes two struts as they approach the outer ribs. The shaft is made of whalebone, which is inserted, into a two tiered octagonal shaped mahogany wood base. The expansion collar is made of whale ivory with flat, bell-shaped, thumbscrews. There is a cup shaped finial of turned whale ivory. The base of the cup is inlaid with an abalone button.ProvenanceJ. Belden, Marion, Massachusetts, 1930, Kendall Whaling Museum; NBWMOn View
On view
19th Century
19th Century
Cottle, William
19th Century
19th Century
19th Century
19th Century
19th Century
19th Century
Smith, Charles F.
19th Century
