Whale's Tooth Decorated by Edward Burdett, USA, c.1815-1833

This scrimshaw tooth is thought to be decorated by Edward Burdett. Burdett was one of the best scrimshaw artists of his day. He was born in Nantucket in 1805. He made his first whaling voyage aboard the Nantucket ship Foster. Burdett died in 1833 when he became caught in a harpoon line and was dragged overboard. He was 28. The images on this tooth show the whaling ship Phoenix catching Sperm whales. These whales were caught for their oil and blubber but their teeth were also decorated like this.