Artist/Maker
de Mendonca, Manuel E.
Title
Triple-cage swift
DateCirca 1850-60
Mediumwhale ivory, whale skeletal bone, wood, yarn, non-ferrous metal
Dimensions[H]15" __[W]3 1/2", cage closed; 5 1/2" x 5 1/2", base
Donor credit lineGift f the Estate of Miss Clara M Black
Object number1958.9.5
Institutional Credit LineCourtesy of the New Bedford Whaling Museum
DescriptionThe swift contains a double cage made from skeletal whalebone and fasted together with two rows of yellow metal rivets. The upper and lower ends of the struts and ribs are tied together with light brown wool yarn. The sprockets are made from whale ivory and have a total of 18 upper and lower slots. The shaft is made from skeletal whalebone and is screwed into a smaller square of beveled ebony, which sits upon the tropical wood base. The expansion collar and the oval shaped thumbscrew are both made from turned whale ivory. The finial is in the shape of a cup and is made from turned whale ivory.ProvenanceBelonged to the Estate of Miss Clara M. BlackOn View
Not on view
19th Century
19th Century
19th Century
19th Century
19th Century
19th Century
19th Century
19th Century
