Lot 84: Exceptional 19th C. Table Top Swift

Estimate: $1,200 – $1,800

Sailor carved, ivory and whalebone, turned ivory cup on top decorated with red scribe lines, and secured with a mother-of-pearl shell disk over the 40 thin accordian-like whalebone slats expanding from a center hardwood pole, in order to hold and stretch the yarn, held in place with an intricately carved and scribed (in red and gray) threaded knob, the table clamp is carved with waves on the back and raised scribe lines in the middle on both sides, (see E.N. Flayderman, Scrimshaw and Scrimshanders: Whales and Whalemen, p. 232), purchased from an Ocean Drive estate in Cohasset, MA, overall excellent condition, 21″ h, 3 1/2″ w x 1″ clamp, (note: Mrs. Lois Hollander retied the silk ribbons in a red/pink, white and blue in the 1980's), (ex. Dr. Oscar and Lois Hollander collection, Falmouth, MA).