Marquesas fid

Date1800s

Mediumwhale skeletal bone

Dimensions1 1/2 × 1 1/8 × 12 1/8 in. (3.8 × 2.9 × 30.8 cm)

Donor credit lineKendall Whaling Museum Collection Transfer

Object number2001.100.1977

Institutional Credit LineCourtesy of the New Bedford Whaling Museum

DescriptionSailor's fid or rope-working tool, originally fashioned out of skeletal whale bone by an American or British whaleman. It was later decorated with various tikis and design elements by a Marquesan carver. This piece is a rare example of cross-cultural design hybridization. From label: 'In a spectacular and rare style, a common scrimshaw mariner's fid was decortively cared all over by a Marquesas islander.'Label TextMaker once known (US/Enata), Marquesas Islands fid, 1800s. Whale skeletal bone, 1 1/2 x 1 1/8 x 12 1/8 in., New Bedford Whaling Museum, 2001.100.1977.

On View

Not on view