Albany's Historic Whaling Station > Records
SCRIMSHAW (SPERM WHALE)
1981Subcollections
Overview
Etched whale tooth depicting Sperm whale.
Historical information
This tooth was taken from a Sperm Whale caught by the Cheynes Beach Whaling Company (CBWC). Scrimshawed by Chess Stubbs and given to Tom Forby, a fisheries inspector for the CBWC. Sold to Whaleworld.
Details
Details
Registration number
cwa-org-128-SC1999.259
Item type
Artworks
Scrimshaw
Material
Ivory
Width
70 mm
Height or length
160 mm
Depth
30 mm
Weight
393 g
Inscriptions and markings
Marks (on verso etched) [C Stubbs/ Albany/ May 25 1981] (inside tooth, black ink) [3B].
Contextual information
Etched by Chess Stubbs, captain of the Cheynes III.
Place made
Year
Statement of significance
This item has social and historical significance. It was made by a local Albany artist, using materials taken from whales harvested by the Cheynes Beach Whaling Company when it was operational. Objects such as these were carved by former employees and locals who acquired whalebone, ivory and baleen from the whaling station.
Primary significance criteria
Artistic or aesthetic significance
Historic significance
Scientific or research significance
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Well provenanced
Public location
Scrimshaw gallery at AHWS
Last modified
Wednesday, 19 August, 2026
Completeness
