Title

cribbage board

Datecirca 1920-1940

Mediumwalrus ivory

Dimensions2 7/8 × 1 3/4 × 16 1/2 in. (7.3 × 4.4 × 41.9 cm)

Donor credit lineGiven in memory of William Wareham

Object number1992.62

Institutional Credit LineCourtesy of the New Bedford Whaling Museum

DescriptionMedium-size walrus tusk, flattened top with squared edges, engraved and drilled to form a plain cribbage board, the top, sides, and bottom relief-carved with animal figures with polychrome engraved highlights. Top (left to right): fish with many teeth; walrus; a fish; the heads of two swimming seals; the head, shoulders, and paws of a polar bear, as though climbing aboard. Front: fish with many teeth; two fishes; flipper of a sea lion from verso. Back: sea lion (with its flipper on verso); two swimming seals; fish with many teeth. Bottom: the legs and lower torso of the polar bear. Root end drilled and slighly hollowed for storage of marker pegs, the aperture threaded with a cylindrical threaded walrus ivory plug; four walrus ivory pegs. According to Norman Hurst, the style is from southwest Alaska, probably St. Michaels area or Bethel.ProvenanceAccording to the donor, the cribbage board came from the home of Edward S. Brown (President of the First National Bank of New Bedford), County Street, New Bedford.

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