Pair of Antique Scrimshaw Teeth by Samuel W. Tenney

Pair of 19th C. antique scrimshaw teeth attributed to Samuel W. Tenney. First tooth depicts a coastal scene of Neptune sitting on a rocky outcropping and gazing out at an American-flagged ship wraps around the tooth. Second tooth has a patriotic scene of a spread-wing eagle, a colossus Lady Liberty, a monument and an American-flagged warship wraps around the circumference of the tooth. The warship, flying an American flag and ensign is the U.S.S. Frigate Brandywine, the vessel on which Tenney served. Each tooth measures approximately  5-1/2".

Reference: Wandering Whalemen and their Art: A Collection of Scrimshaw Masterpieces by Alan Granby pages 75 and 76. Exhibited at the Cahoon Museum in Cotuit on Cape Cod from June-October 2022

Samuel W. Tenney's identity was uncovered by scrimshaw historian Michael Gerstein through a tooth in the collection of Historic New England. Tenney was born in Oxford, Massachusetts and served in the Navy aboard the U.S.S. "Brandywine" and later on the whaleship "Fenelon" of New Bedford.

Note: Antique scrimshaw is not available for international sale. Please be aware of your state regulations regarding the sale of marine mammal parts and purchase accordingly.