Star Wars Scrimshaw

A few months back I put out the call to see if anyone was interested in commissioning a piece of Star Wars scrimshaw. I had a piece of mastodon ivory that I had kept for over a decade with the express purpose of doing something “special” on it one day. The call was answered by none other than Steve Sansweet; owner of the world’s largest Star Wars collection and, until just this month, fan liaison to Lucasfilm LTD.  I worked with Steve on several preliminary sketches until we came up with one he liked. Then I started work on the scrimshaw.

What better scene to go on an ancient piece of ivory than that of the sandtroopers on Tatooine looking for droids?!  The depth of field, as well as the small details (such as the E-11 gun, and dewback’s eyes in the background) all lend to a great looking piece… if I do say so myself.

The first photo in the gallery below is of the beginning stages. The ivory is inked, the drawing is traced using graphite rubbed paper, and then the scratching (i.e., ‘scrimming’) begins.

The mastodon ivory smells “musty” compared to elephant ivory, and also has a different cross section pattern.

Scrimshaw is considered by many to be the only true “American” artform. Originating in the 1800′s the word comes from the slang for “do nothing” — which was what sailors would say of their compatriots when they were below deck practicing the art instead of topside helping them. I was trained in the art by master srcimshander Chuck Goldsmith at Silver Dollar City in 1998 and have practiced it since. I do all my scrimshaw the “real” (i.e., old fashioned) way with a needle and a galvanized, sharpened nail. It’s a painstaking and very detailed process, but the final result is — I think you’ll agree — quiet beautiful.

As a side-note, all the ivory I use is “pre-ban” ivory and has been in the United States since before 1950. NO “new” ivory is available or used in any of my art. I also work on polished bone.

I am available for custom scrimshaw pieces; jewelry, display pieces, etc. Contact me for more information if you’re interested.