Welcome to the Scrimshaw Gallery

featuring local and regional artists

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. The sperm whale tooth on the right is a classic example of work from the whaling era.

Tim Parsons

Tim Parsons

Tim Parsons Tim Parsons
Tim Parsons Tim Parsons

Tim Parsons

Tim Parsons
 David Smith Tim Parsons
David Smith

David Smith

Island Artist

David Lazarus

Island Artist

David Lazarus

Island Artist

Lee Ann Papale

 
Island Artist

Lee Ann Papale

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