Museum Collections
Luce Center
Walrus tusk carved w/cribbage board & sea mammals
Object Number:
1943.246
Date:
1850-1900
Medium:
Ivory, pigment
Dimensions:
Overall: 17 3/8 x 3 x 3/4 in. ( 44.1 x 7.6 x 1.9 cm )
Description:
Cribbage board carved from walrus tusk ornamented with carved figures of fish, seals, and walruses.
Gallery Label:
After examining the collection on 2/24/2013, Stuart M. Frank, curator of the New Bedford Whaling Museum, believes this tusk could likely be attributed to Nunivak Island in the Bering Sea. Branches of the Yup’ik tribes created scrimshaw pieces to sell or barter as souvenirs in the early twentieth century.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mrs. Fanny Shapiro
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.