Scrimshaw 

Etching History

Scrimshaw, or the art of carving on whalebone or whale ivory, has become intertwined with the art of Lightship Baskets. Of course the whaling industry, which was an important part of Nantucket's history, provided the environment for this art-form to develop. From carving on whale bone or ivory, an etching style evolved where the artist would scratch lines into the polished ivory then fill the scratches with ink or pigment. Today's' artists employ the same methods of etching by hand and filling with ink or paint.