Scrimshaw is a unique art form that involves the elaborate engraving of whale bone and teeth. It flourished in the 19th century as the commercial whaling industry expanded globally. But while scrimshaw became one of the most celebrated forms of traditional American folk art, sperm whale populations diminished to the point of collapse.
The hunting of whales has long since been banned. Though the whaling age has passed, scrimshaw serves as a reminder of a highly detailed craft that still commands immense respect among historians, museums, and high-end art collectors today.
To learn more about this complex but somewhat controversial art form, click on to continue reading.