iTaggit Item Profile for:

Panbone busk, initialed A G: $950.00

Images:

Item Description

Title:	Panbone busk, initialed A G
Manufacturer:	Most likely Yankee Whaler, made at sea
Country/Region of origin:	Most likely New England
Authenticity:	Original
Period/Age:	Early Victorian
Primary material:	Dense Whale Panbone
Finish type:	Faded black & red ink in scrimshawed patterns
Defects:	Minor chips & minor cracks on tail-end
Weight:	2.4-ounces
Dimensions:	345-mm x 37-mm x 3-mm (13.38-in x 1.46-in)
Condition:	Good
Date made:	--
Additional materials:	--
Certification/Rating:	--
Quantity:	--
ASIN:	--

Notes

Obverse side images (top to tail): 5-point star; crossed arrows; empty 4-point diamond pattern; fouled anchor; torch(?); basket with flowers; initials AG; empty 4-point diamond pattern; inverted crown with two 5-point stars at base.

Reverse side images (top to tail): windmill & tree scene; large 6-pointed star; theatrical scene #1 depicts a long-haired man (note CROSS on chest) stabbing a woman, who is wearing a veil over her face & wreath on head; theatrical scene #2 depicts a walking Victorian woman bleeding from head, who has dropped a long knife, followed by a boy, and a standing man praying in background; minimal, scroll vegetation decoration at base.

The theatrical images are being researched for context. One suggestion is that the scenes could be copied from a paper playbill of a Victorian-era melodrama. Another suggestion is that the woman who wore the busk may have been an actress who portrayed the women in these scenes. I ask readers to share any ideas on this subject.

A knowledgeable collector suggested that this smooth, speck-free surface could be elephant ivory. I consulted with Paul Madden, who viewed the high-resolution photos on this page to assist in determining its matrix. He stated "panbone can be so dense, that it can be translucent when cut thin" (like this one). He also said that certain sections of panbone have microscopic Haversian canals (capillary tunnels) which can only be viewed with extreme magnification (microscope, not a loupe). He congratulated me on a good buy, and said that this antique scrimshawed whalebone busk was "right".

Ivory busks do exist, but rarely come up for sale or auction.

Antique and Antique Collecting

Antiques have always lured those with a passion for the past and its cultural significance. Antique collecting though is a serious hobby which requires the hobbyist to posses a great deal of information on the history and other correlating facts if they are to land a reasonable purchase. Most often if not antiques make their way into the mainstream market via simple garage sales, auction houses etc. wherein the owner would have overlooked the significance of these precious collectables.

A reflection and testimony of the glorious past, Antiques are undoubtedly rare. Perhaps that is why Antiques have been collected and preserved for over thousands of years as a souvenir and tribute to what has been and gone. After all, those heard are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter!

Antique collecting has been in the books since the 16th century, gaining momentum through the 18th century to grow into what is now a healthy international business thats on par with the art industry. Some individuals prefer to collect antiques from a specific era, while most are into specific objects and aim at a timeline based collection such as vintage cars or clocks from the 1950s for example. The purchase of antiques is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the effort that goes into their maintenance. Most objects would be anywhere in the range of 50 to 100 years old. The biggest culprit to an antiques degradation is exposure to natural elements, even the air in most cases!

Over the years, antique collecting has taken another curious twist as certain home décor trends these days reflect on a retro feel. For this reason a lot of long lost furniture and clothing styles from half a century ago have found their way back into the current world with small changes that help them amalgamate into the 21st century. This trend of commercially viable antiques has had a negative impact on the market as replicas of famous antiques have been making the rounds and authenticity issues are far too common. Examples for the same would be pendulum clocks, bone china and the 1970 – 1979 contemporary modern furniture.

When it comes to venturing towards a purchase, its best for an individual to take assistance from the nearest antique dealer organization as it would guarantee both its authenticity as well as cover any legalities. Most often the replica market supplies the same antiques at a much lower price and the buyer could suffer serious repercussions on purchasing from such sources as these pieces are not officially accounted for. Antique collecting needs to be met with diligence and maturity in order to successfully sustain the past in the present.