Collection Highlights
Sojourner Truth Monument
1999
2007.13
Bronze
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Whale's tooth
Object name
Whale's tooth
Date
1875-1925
Medium
Ivory, pigment
Dimensions
Overall: 4 3/8 x 2 1/8 x 1 3/4 in. ( 11.1 x 5.4 x 4.4 cm )
Description
Whale tooth engraved continously around with the figure of Lady Liberty holding a flag and shield standing with an eagle and cannon on a free-floating dock (?), with an inscription on obverse and a ship flying the American flag sailing away from a lighthouse on a bluff on the reverse.
Credit Line
Gift of Colonel Henry O. Havemeyer
Object Number
1982.68[dup2]
Marks
inscribed: arched over figure in fancy print on obverse: "Don't give up the ship"
Gallery Label
The phrase inscribed on this scrimshaw, "Don't give up the ship," was coined by Captain James Lawrence (1781-1813) in 1813. Acting against orders during the War of 1812, he engaged his ship, the Chesapeake, against Britain's Shannon. In a battle which lasted about 15 minutes, the Shannon was victorious, and Lawrence was mortally wounded.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
