Scrimshaw Addiction

Elephant Scrimshaw

This is a Scrimshaw I did back in my black and white days at least twenty years ago. As you can see, it depicts a tender baby Elephant under the protection of its mother.

It’s Scrimshawed on a piece of Fossil Mammoth Ivory which is many thousands of years old. It weighs 387 grams and measures 170mm high x 140mm wide at its widest point. It is an exceptionally piece of Ivory.

Stage 1

I don’t have any progressive pictures as I didn’t photograph it or document all the details back then. The process of making it was just like the more recent walkthroughs except without colour.

1) Polish the Ivory

2) Attach the picture and cut around the outline and prominent features

3) Apply black oil paint to the etched sections

4) Fill in the darkest areas, then move onto the light parts. If you do it the other way around the shading and colours will become contaminated

Stage 2

Here’s the wooden base with an Ivory name plate fitted using a Sterling Silver name plate. I’ve decided to name this Scrimshaw “Tender” to show how young and vulnerable the young elephant is.

Stage 3

Here’s the finished piece.

The End.

Contact Rod: randclacey@bigpond.com