A Fine and Rare 19th century ANTIQUE SCRIMSHAW Sailor-made Child's or Doll's Cradle with whalebone inlays and dated 1861.

This absolutely charming cradle is wonderfully inlaid with birds, vines, an American Eagle and the date 1861. It comes with a note stating that the cradle was made by Jacob Turnerby, a barrel maker by trade, who sailed aboard the Sarah Sheate and the Barque Oriole. PROVENANCE: the Ernest Gates Collection, formerly Curator of the JIBBOOM Club of New London, CT. The club was formed in the 1870's as a social club for officers of whaling ships. It was disbanded in 1959. Mr. Gates was its curator in the 1940's and 1950's. He was also an ardent collector of whaling artifacts and he obviously had a good eye for the fine and rare pieces. L 23" H 14"