Wonderful c. Mid 19th Century Whaler Made Scrimshaw Ladies Leg Bodkin theorem embroidery light craquelure and a minor

light craquelure and a minor rust here and there

which I believe dates from sometime between 1900-1920

all open 17 5/8” long x 7 1/4" wide

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

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

Wonderful c. Mid 19th Century Whaler Made Scrimshaw Ladies Leg Bodkin theorem embroidery light craquelure and a minorI 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,