Wellesley Neighbors Events - Event View

Scrimshaw: The Whaleman’s Art

Curtis Martin

Wednesday, May 22, Wellesley College Club
Refreshments at 7 pm, Talk at 7:30 pm

This presentation explores the art produced by American whalemen, principally on 19^th century whaling cruises, and explores what motivated whalemen to engage in this unique craft. Scrimshaw is defined as practical and decorative items made by whaling crews from the materials at hand, principally the teeth and bone of whales. 

Through Powerpoint we’ll examine the raw materials used, the tools employed, and the techniques for producing scrimshaw. We’ll view practical gift items such as boxes, baskets, kitchen utensils, canes, and sewing implements; and best-known of all, engraved sperm whale teeth.

A member of Wellesley Neighbors, Curt has been a Wellesley resident since 1979. He earned a BA at Harvard College and a PhD from the Tufts Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and taught International Relations at Merrimack College from 1974 to 2012. The author of two books, Curt has written numerous articles and case studies in international and foreign policy. He has had a lifelong interest in the history of American whaling and has given lectures on whaling around New England for various groups, including Wellesley Neighbors in 2016.