Scrimshaw Addiction

Wife Scrimshaw

This Scrimshaw is of my wife Colleen and was done in 1996 using black ink on ancient fossilized Mammoth Ivory from Siberia. It weighs 61 grams and measures 60mm wide x 100mm 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 polished Buffalo horn with an Ivory name plate attached using Sterling Silver pins.

The Finished Piece

This picture shows the finished Scrimshaw on its stand.

The End.

Contact Rod: randclacey@bigpond.com