Bone: Carved and Worked Bone Objects in Antique Collecting
Bone -- the skeletal material of animals, worked by human hands since prehistoric times -- encompasses a wide collecting category including scrimshaw, carved figures, utilitarian tools, sewing implements, prisoner-of-war ship models, and decorative objects. Cheaper and more accessible than ivory, bone was the everyday carving medium for sailors, soldiers, prisoners, and folk artists across centuries. Collectors today pursue bone objects for their craftsmanship, historical associations, and the human stories they embody.
Major Categories
- Scrimshaw: Engraved and carved whale bone and whale teeth by American and British whalers, primarily 1820s-1870s; the most valuable category of worked bone
- Prisoner-of-war models: Intricate ship models, guillotine models, and domino sets carved by French prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars (1793-1815); constructed from saved beef and mutton bones
- Sewing tools: Bone bobbins, needle cases, bodkins, tatting shuttles, and lace-making implements; produced throughout the 18th and 19th centuries
- Pie crimpers (jagging wheels): Carved bone pastry wheels, often with decorative handles; a specialty of sailor folk art
- Netsuke and Japanese carvings: Small toggle carvings in bone (as well as ivory); used to attach pouches to kimono sashes
- Walking stick handles: Carved bone tops and grips for canes and walking sticks
- Utilitarian items: Buttons, stays, corset busks, dice, dominoes, cutlery handles, and game pieces
Identification: Bone vs. Ivory
Distinguishing bone from ivory is critical for both authentication and legal compliance:
- Grain pattern: Bone shows small, dark nutrient canals (Haversian canals) visible as tiny dots or dashes under magnification; ivory shows Schreger lines (cross-hatching pattern)
- Weight: Ivory is denser and heavier than bone of the same size
- UV fluorescence: Bone fluoresces dull white or blue-white under UV light; elephant ivory fluoresces bright white
- Texture: Bone tends to be slightly rougher and more porous; ivory is smoother and denser
- Hot needle test: Not recommended but traditional; bone smells of burnt hair; ivory is more neutral (this test damages the piece)
Auction Price Ranges
| Category | Typical Range | Exceptional Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Scrimshaw whale teeth (engraved) | $1,000 - $10,000 | $50,000+ for documented whaling scenes |
| POW ship models | $3,000 - $30,000 | $100,000+ for large, complex models |
| Bone sewing tools (individual) | $10 - $100 | $500+ for elaborate carved examples |
| Bone pie crimpers / jagging wheels | $100 - $1,000 | $5,000+ for complex figural handles |
| Carved bone figures (folk art) | $50 - $500 | $3,000+ for significant folk pieces |
| Bone netsuke | $50 - $500 | $2,000+ for fine, signed examples |
| Corset busks (carved/inscribed) | $100 - $800 | $2,000+ for dated, inscribed examples |
Condition Factors
- Cracking and warping: Bone is susceptible to environmental changes; cracks from drying and warping from humidity fluctuation are common
- Yellowing: Natural aging produces a warm patina; harsh cleaning removes desirable patina
- Breakage: Thin, delicate bone carvings are fragile; broken and reglued pieces lose significant value
- Surface engraving clarity: On scrimshaw, sharp, dark engraving lines are preferred; faded or worn engraving reduces value
- Completeness: Sewing sets, gaming sets, and multi-piece objects should be complete; missing components reduce value proportionally
Collecting Tips
- Learn to distinguish bone from ivory: This is the single most important skill; misidentification creates legal and financial problems
- Scrimshaw authentication is essential: Fake scrimshaw is extremely common; study the engraving technique, material aging, and subject matter before purchasing
- POW models are museum-quality objects: Napoleonic prisoner-of-war bone ship models are extraordinary achievements of folk art and command prices accordingly
- Legal considerations: While bone itself is generally not restricted, whale bone (scrimshaw) is regulated under marine mammal protection laws; ensure provenance establishes pre-ban creation
- Sailor-made pieces have the best stories: Pie crimpers, swifts, busks, and other objects made by sailors for their sweethearts carry romantic provenance
- Store properly: Bone objects need stable humidity (45-55%) and should not be displayed in direct sunlight or near heat sources