Engraved Whale's Tooth

Description:

Engraved Whale's Tooth,19th century,one side depicting a crenel1ated building, possibly an arsenal, flying an American flag over a bark on a calm sea, the reverse depicting an altar with a crucifix flanked by arching potted plants, over a scene with vessels and a seaside village, (repair on tip, age cracks),ht. 6 1/4, wd. 3 in.

Provenance: Descended in the family of William and Henry Walters, who established Baltimore's Walters Art Museum, a privately assembled collection that excels in many diverse fields of the fine arts.
Estimate $1,500-2,500

The tip was broken off about 2 in. down mostly on one side and crudely glued back on, about five age cracks, all are tight except one which is open slightly, and is about 4 in. lg. on the seaside village side.

Keywords