176 . AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE AND HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT NANTUCKET SCRIMSHAWED SPERM WHALE TOOTH SIGNED IN CURSIVE AT THE CUT EDGE “ MADE . BY . EDWARD . BURDETT ,” circa 1830s , the obverse engraved with a starboard view of the “ Pacific ” under sail ; the reverse with a port view of the “ Pacific ” under reduced sail and cutting in a blanket of blubber with a whale alongside , which is a rarer occurrence on the portside ; the top edge with a foliate border and “ Pacific of Nantucket ” is engraved on the lower edge in cursive between the scenes , a leaf vine border surrounds the base . Length 4 ¾ in . Width at base 2 ¾ in .
Edward Burdett , the earliest known American whaleman artisan , was born on Nantucket in 1805 . The legendary “ islander ” joined the historic Nantucket whaling industry and his works date from the mid-1820s to 1833 , he died at sea in 1833 . This “ Pacific of Nantucket ” tooth is the only known example of Edward Burdett ’ s work to have descended in the family . It was likely a gift from Burdett to his sister Nancy Burdett Davis .
Provenance : From the artist ’ s sister , Nancy Burdett Davis ( b . 1808 ) to her daughter Sarah B . Cordiss ( b . 1830 ) directly descended in the family ; Sold in 2013 to private collector .
Literature : Refer to Stuart M . Frank & Joshua Basseches 1991 monograph Edward Burdett , 1805-1833 America ’ s First Master Scrimshaw Artist for further details on this whaleman artist .
Exhibited : Nantucket Whaling Museum Scrimshaw Gallery June-July 2005 , commemorating the opening of the newly renovated museum .
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