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Nautilus shell depicting SS GREAT BRITAIN
C H Wood1843
Australian National Maritime Museum
Sydney, Australia
This nautilus shell features a carving of the ship SS GREAT BRITAIN and an inscription outlining its cost, construction and launch in Bristol, England. Traditionally scrimshaw was carved on whale bone or teeth and produced onboard 19th century whaling vessels. However, this piece was designed in the style of whalers' scrimshaw as a presentation souvenir. Similar engravings on shells are known to have been sold by the artist in New York.
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Details
- Title: Nautilus shell depicting SS GREAT BRITAIN
- Creator: C H Wood
- Date: 1843, 1843
- Location: England
- Type: Scrimshaw shell
- Significance: This shell demonstrates the skill of scrimshanders and in particular the ornate work of English artist C H Wood. It also reminds us of the significance of the SS GREAT BRITAIN in the role as an immigrant ship to Australia from England.
- See institution's online collections: http://www.anmm.gov.au/collections
- Medium: Nautilus shell
- Dimensions: 148 x 185 x 92 mm, 0.25 kg
- Credit line: ANMM Collection
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