Wonderful c. Mid 19th Century Whaler Made Scrimshaw Ladies Leg Bodkin theorem embroidery nearly black color adding interest

nearly black color adding interest to the lid

with just a bit of separation between the cutter edges where they meet at the belly of the bird

light craquelure and a minor rust here and there

really)  all over his back

with the manner of the hand-painted numbers telling us that

Wonderful c. Mid 19th Century Whaler Made Scrimshaw Ladies Leg Bodkin theorem embroidery nearly black color adding interestI splurged a bit on this one by my standards, purchased from an longtime New England dealer, but I didn't think twice: what a wonderful example of a folk art scrimshaw bodkin, which would have been made by a whaler sailor as a gift to bring home to a sweetheart. Bodkins were once common implements, used for making lace, threading ribbon or cord through fabric casings necklines, waistbands, etc and more. I've seen some fancy ones around these parts,