Backside of tooth depicts a rustic church (note cross on belfry spire) in a country setting. Architecture maybe Spanish-Californian.
Note intricate border design around church & below lady.
Tooth is 4.6-inches & ??.?-ounces
Queen Victoria and two
Ladies-In-Waiting, or it may just be a mother and two grown daughters.
Bustles were popular in the
early-1870s, and again in the early to mid-1880s.
If anyone can clarify country or era of clothing depicted, and/or symbolic significance of cup held by woman & branch held by man, please inform ScrimCollector@aol.com. Most likely stipple-copied from a magazine illustration.
Is this stipple-outlined scrimwork depicting:
1.) a bare-legged barbarian; or
2.) a native in a loincloth; or
3.) a fleeing guardian or parent; or
4.) a pirate in long-sleeve shirt with sash over shoulder & around waist?
The scrimwork appears unfinished, as some shading has been applied to legs (leggings?), sash (?), and hair. Most stippling is bare outline, while some dots have been connected (knife, sash). Does man have a handlebar moustache? Is he bare-foot? Is he bare-legged? Is he wearing skin-tight leggings & thin shoes? Is he kidnapping the child, or defending the child?
I find the pose to be reminiscent of Gilkerson, and NOT typical of a Victorian-era scrimshander. I am doubting if image is antique.
Tooth is 21.5-ounces & 185-mm (7.35-inches).
Please e-mail your opinion to:
ScrimCollector@aol.com