Does scrimshaw have any value?
Prices range from less than $1,000 to $75,000 or more, with ongoing scholarship increasing the interest of collectors and the values of scrimshaw. Made as gifts, scrimshaw teeth depict the images that were most important to a sailor: whaling scenes, ships, women, patriotic motifs, idyllic homesteads.
How can you tell if scrimshaw is real?
To accomplish this test, heat a pin until it’s almost red hot and then touch it to an inconspicuous part of the item. If it scorches and smells like burning bone, you’ve got a real piece on your hands. The pin test will cause polymer or plastic to melt into the piece and emit the smell of burning plastic.
Where can I sell my scrimshaw?
If you plan to sell the piece, an art auction house will necessarily authenticate your scrimshaw. Many large American cities also have art appraisers that can authenticate scrimshaw for a fee. Conversely, a local art museum or university art department might be willing to examine your heirloom scrimshaw for free.
What is scrimshaw painting?
Scrimshaw is the art of engraving images on ivory—whale teeth and bone and walrus tusks—a folk art practiced by men aboard whaleships during the nineteenth century.
Can you sell ivory scrimshaw?
It is perfectly legal by federal law to trade legitimately antique elephant ivory; identification of such pieces is not a difficult procedure. Regardless, there is no legal requirement to provide a paper provenance for a piece to a potential buyer.
Can you sell scrimshaw on Ebay?
You cannot sell: the following Ivory items; Canes, Jewelry, Chess Pieces or sets, Figurines, Scrimshaw, this includes Netsukes etc. You cannot sell anything made from Whalebone or any other marine animal regardless of when it was harvested.
Is it legal to own scrimshaw?
19th and 20th century scrimshaw, scrimshaw crafted before 1989 (elephant) or before 1973 (sperm whale ivory, walrus ivory etc.) is legal. It is prohibited after that year for commercial import in the U.S. under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Can I sell scrimshaw on Ebay?
Is it illegal to sell scrimshaw?
Under the Endangered Species Act, any scrimshaw item that can be proved to be 100 or more years old can be sold interstate; any other item cannot. Reproductions, copies and fake scrimshaw items often can fool the novice.
How do you care for scrimshaw?
Most dirt and oils may be removed by simple dusting or a gentle wiping with a clean, soft cotton cloth. Stubborn dirt can be removed with a cotton swab moistened in rubbing alcohol and wiped gently over the surface. Whatever you do, DO NOT SCRUB!
Can you legally sell scrimshaw?
Can you sell scrimshaw on eBay?
Can ivory be sold on eBay?
So, to protect our buyers and sellers, as well as animals in danger of extinction, eBay has decided to institute a global ban on the sale of all types of ivory. This global ban will be effective January 1, 2009.
How do you seal scrimshaw?
Apply beeswax with a wheel and Dremel if you have access to one.
- Be sure to coat the surface of the ivory or bone completely in order to properly seal it.
- It’s important to seal your surface, especially if it’s ivory, since it’s likely to be very porous.
Can you sell vintage ivory?
The State of California Department of Fish and Game is ACTIVELY raiding auction houses and antique shows, confiscating ivory. It is now illegal to sell or have the intent to sell ANY IVORY within the State of California or to sell it to any bidders within the State of California REGARDLESS OF THE AGE of the ivory.
Why is it called scrimshaw?
Scrimshaw is derived from the practice of sailors on whaling ships creating common tools, where the byproducts of whales were readily available. The term originally referred to the making of these tools, only later referring to works of art created by whalers in their spare time.
Can I sell vintage ivory?
As of the 2016 National Strategy on Wildlife Trafficking law, it is illegal to sell ivory although there are some exceptions to the law. There are several pre-existing ivory items that fall under an ESA antiques exemption which can be sold within a person’s state: Items must contain no more than 200 grams of ivory.
Who is buying ivory?
GlobeScan spent eight months conducting surveys, in-depth interviews, and focus groups in the five countries in which demand for ivory is known to be concentrated: China, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and the United States.
What is the best ink for scrimshaw?
For best results, use squid ink or India ink to fill in your etches. You can also use colored varieties of ink if they’re available at your local art supply store. Some small amounts of ink will be left inside the dots that you etched into the surface.
Can you sell Scrimshaw?
Under the Endangered Species Act, any scrimshaw item that can be proved to be 100 or more years old can be sold interstate; any other item cannot.
How old does ivory have to be before you can sell it?
Sale & Export
The item is at least 100 years old; And, the item was either imported prior to 1982 or after 1982, through one of 13 ports specifically designated for antiques; or the item was manufactured in the United States from legally imported ivory.
Can I sell antique ivory on eBay?
However, due to the unique nature of eBay’s global online marketplace and the growing complexity of the rules and regulations surrounding the sale of ivory, we decided to roll out a complete ban of the sale of ivory on eBay to protect our buyers, sellers, and the endangered and protected species from which ivory is …
Can you sell antique ivory in the US?
If you can demonstrate that it qualifies as an ESA antique, you can sell it. However, state laws and online retailer policies may further restrict or prohibit ivory sales. Always consult with your state and the retailer to determine their requirements.
How do you darken scrimshaw?
How to make Scrimshaw – YouTube