452 g Sperm Whale Tooth

Description

Pre-Ban Carved 452 g Sperm Whale Tooth – Mother Bird with Chicks

This beautiful pre-ban 452 g sperm whale tooth carving is an exceptionally charming example of three-dimensional maritime folk art. The tooth has been skillfully carved into the form of a large seabird with two smaller birds or chicks nestled alongside it, creating a wonderfully expressive family scene.

This 452 g Sperm Whale Tooth carving makes excellent use of the natural shape of the sperm whale tooth. The large bird has been carefully sculpted with a long, gracefully curved beak, rounded body, defined wings, and detailed feet. Two smaller figures emerge from the lower portion of the carving, giving the piece a delightful sense of depth and interaction.

A particularly interesting detail is the use of whale baleen for the eyes. The dark baleen provides a striking contrast against the creamy white sperm whale ivory and gives the carved birds an unusually lifelike appearance. The combination of sperm whale tooth and baleen demonstrates the traditional use of different whale-derived materials in maritime carving.

The piece measures approximately 15 cm (6 inches) in length and weighs approximately 452 grams, making it a substantial and highly displayable carving.

Highlights

• Material: Genuine sperm whale tooth / ivory
• Status: Pre-ban
• Length: Approximately 15 cm (6 inches)
• Weight: Approximately 452 g
• Type: Hand-carved three-dimensional maritime folk art
• Subject: Large seabird with two smaller birds/chicks
• Eyes: Inlaid whale baleen
• Finish: Smooth, highly polished natural ivory
• Documentation: Ships with a CITES Permit

A Distinctive Collector’s Piece

The combination of the substantial sperm whale tooth, finely sculpted bird forms, and baleen-inlaid eyes makes this an especially unusual piece for collectors. Unlike flat engraved scrimshaw, the carving is fully dimensional and takes advantage of the tooth’s natural contours to create a sculpture with considerable presence.

It would make a wonderful addition to a collection of sperm whale ivory, scrimshaw, maritime folk art, nautical antiques, or historic whaling-related artifacts.

CITES Documentation

This 452 g Sperm Whale Tooth is represented as pre-ban sperm whale ivory and will be accompanied by the applicable CITES Permit. The original documentation should be retained by the purchaser, particularly for any future sale, export, import, or international movement, as regulations concerning sperm whale ivory can vary between jurisdictions.

A wonderfully sculptural and unusual sperm whale tooth carving, distinguished by its charming bird family subject and authentic whale-baleen eyes.