Antique captain Cane Shark Vertebrae 19th Century

Cane Shark Vertebrae. Handle corbin beak. Mounted on metal core. It measures 90 cm. Work of sailor, 19th Century

Scrimshaw was one form of sailors’ art, and cane making was another. This example is made from a series of carefully graduated shark vertebrae threaded over a heavy metal rod, with the biggest vertebrae at the top. This would have been an extraordinary conversation piece in the hands of an old or handicapped 19th century sailing ship crewman.