Wonderful c. Mid 19th Century Whaler Made Scrimshaw Ladies Leg Bodkin cloud 2 1/4” diameter

2 1/4” diameter

but this is quite a special feeling object

and I'd be inclined to display it standing up

which placing in a frame would conceal

412-14 Market Street

Wonderful c. Mid 19th Century Whaler Made Scrimshaw Ladies Leg Bodkin cloud 2 1/4” diameterI 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,