Scrimshaw Treasures

Scrimshaw is a traditional American art form that is etchings or carvings on bone, tusks, or animal teeth. Elephant tusks, whale teeth, and even the preserved tusks of woolly mammoths are the most common materials used for Scrimshaw. Many Scrimshaw pieces have maritime carvings and others feature animals. Although Scrimshaw is an art that originated centuries ago, it is still practiced today. Antique pieces are extremely valuable, some fetching thousands of dollars. Modern pieces are valuable as well, but not as sought after by serious collectors as authentic antiques.