A Fantastic Scrimshawed Whalebone and Whale Ivory Oval Lidded Ladies "Ditty Box" Purse Circa 1950

This fabulous 'five finger' Whalebone and Whale ivory "Ditty" box dates to circa 1945-1955. Both the lid and the base are made from beautifully figured rosewood, the lid having an applied whale ivory sperm whale and the base with four whale ivory feet. The sides of the ditty box are lavishishly scrimed with a large bold spread wing American Eagle clutching both an American Federal shield and a bunch of arrows. Draped over the wings is a full length swag inscribed "Miss Claudine Halladay, Englewood, N.J., 1880," the lady who either was presented with or commissioned this wonderful ditty box/ladies purse. The whalebone swing handle also has the initials "C H". The back of the ditty box features a whaling scene with a whaler harpooning a sperm whale and his whale ship standing near by. The interior retains its' original brown suede lining with its' decorative red velvet trim. This is perhaps one of the most decorative whalebone ditty boxes on the market today and worthy of any fine collection !! Width 7 1/4" Depth 6" Height 4"