Timoleon Tooth

Date1835

MediumEngraved sperm whale ivory

Dimensions2 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. (7 x 3.8 x 14 cm)

Object number1971.13

Institutional Credit LineCourtesy of the New Bedford Whaling Museum

DescriptionMonochrome engraved both sides. Recto: Starboard bow-quarter portrait of a full-rigged ship under sail. Verso: Inscribed with the itinerary of the voyage: "SHIP-TIMOLEON / J. BUNKER MASTER SAILED FROM / NEW BEDFORD DEC. 25 1831"; below which, in tabular form, is inscribed (first column:) "PORTS / VISITED"; (second column:) "TIME OF / ANCHORING"; (third column:) "TIME OF / SAILING"; with the following tabular entries: [1] "PAYTA MAY 29 1832 JUNE 8" / [2] "JAMES ISL. JUNE 26 JUNE 30' / [3] "TUMBEZ OCT 23 NOV 4" / [4] "SANDWICH ISL MARCH 27 APRIL 16" / [5] "ST. BARBARA SEPT 19 SEPT 29" / [6] "TUMBEZ SANTOS OCT 3 OCT 9" / [7] "TURTLE BAY OCT 14 NOV 1" / [8] "SANDWICH ISL. APRIL 8 APRIL 24" / [9] "TODOS SANTOS OCT 5 1834 OCT 19" / [10] "TOMBEZ DEC 12 DEC 22" / [11] "HOOD ISL JAN 8 1835 JAN 14".

A companion scrimshaw tooth by Sheffield's shipmate John H. Ricketson (1971.13) was produced on the same voyage of the Timoleon (Kendall Collection S-1029 = 2001.100.1532; q.v. for references). Illus. N. Flayderman, Scrimshaw and Scrimshanders, 1971, p. 17; see S.M. Frank, Dict. Scrim. Artists, 1991, pp. 119 and preceeding.Label TextJohn Hammond Ricketson (New Bedford, MA, US, 1806-1885), Timoleon tooth, 1835. Engraved sperm whale ivory, 2 3/4 x 5 1/2 in., New Bedford Whaling Museum, 1971.13. Inscribed: "Ship-Timoleon/J. Bunker Master Sailed from New Bedford Dec. 25 1831”; Ports Visited/Time of Anchoring/Time of Sailing: Payta, May 29, 1832/James Isl., June 26, June 30/Tumbez, Oct. 23, Nov 4/ Sandwich Isl, March 27, April 16/ St. Barbara, Sept 19, Sept 29/ Tumbez Santos, Oct 3, Oct 9/ Turtle Bay, Oct 14, Nov 1/ Sandwich Isl., April 8, April 24/ Todos Santos, Oct 5 1834, Oct 19/ Tombez, Dec 12, Dec 22/ Hood Isl Jan 8 1835, Jan 14.” ProvenanceDonated by a descendant and namesake.

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