Scrimshaw Addiction

Walrus Scrimshaw

This Scrimshaw is of a group of Walruses suning at the beach. I worked on it in 2012, using only black ink on a piece of ancient fossilized Mammoth Ivory from Siberia. It weighs 32 grams and measures 50mm wide x 80mm high. The shape is called a “plaque”. That means that it’s flat with even sides, which is the most desirable Ivory to work on.

The Scrimshaw

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

The Base

The base is made from Snakewood with an Ivory name plate attached using Sterling Silver pins. It took as long to make as the Scrimshaw did. This is usually the case with making stands, and quite often doubles how long a project takes.

The Finished Piece

This picture shows the finished Scrimshaw on its stand.

The End.

Contact Rod: randclacey@bigpond.com