 Scrimshaw is one of a handful of truly original American folk forms and has had a long history on Nantucket Island. Traditionally, an engraving tool the size of a large needle was used to scratch or "draw" on the source material. Then an application of india ink was rubbed into the recessed lines scratched on the surface. The excess ink was then wiped away, providing contrast and bringing the pictures to life.
 Each piece is signed and dated by Howard Thomas. Howard uses the stipple technique for amazing detail and its almost photo like in quality. Stippling is a series of thousands of little holes pressed into the ivory, instead of the more traditional scratching method. He uses a surgical steel needle in a pin vise and it is very tedious work. Stipple is used by many famous scrimshanders and it is a hard technique to master. Howard has been doing scrimshaw for nearly 20 years and first picked it up while in the navy aboard the USS Independence. |
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