American, ca 1840-60. A scrimshawed sperm-whale tooth engraved and polychrome inked on two sides, one side with a whaling scene of fully rigged ship, a pod of whales, and whale boats, the other with a ship under sail flying the stars and stripes. Lg. 6.5 in.
Purchased from Paul Madden Antiques, Sandwich Village, Massachusetts
Condition: Very small flake off tip. Expected mellowing and wear consistent with age.