Tabletop swift

Mediumwhale ivory, , whale skeletal bone, non-ferrous metal, ribbon

Dimensions[H]22 1/4" __[W] __[D] __[Dia]cage closed: 3"

Object number00.213.6

Institutional Credit LineCourtesy of the New Bedford Whaling Museum

DescriptionThe swift contains a single cage made from skeletal whalebone with the struts and ribs grooved. Numerous broken struts and ribs completely detached from the sprocket. The upper and lower sprockets are made from whale ivory and have 24 slots. The shaft is made from skeletal whalebone and connects to a clamp made from turned whale ivory with a cylindrical ball above. The expansion collar is made from whale ivory, as is the thumbscrew, which is vase shaped. There is a whale ivory collar on top of the thumbscrews. The cup finial is made from turned whale ivory with linear grooves filled with red sealing wax.

On View

Not on view