Distinguishing Authentic Antique Scrimshaw from Fraudulent Ivory (Part 3 of 3)

Another type of fraudulent antique scrimshaw is actually a form of forgery. The 1975 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) ban on importing & exporting contemporary whale teeth, allows exporting & importing documented ANTIQUE scrimshaw. At that time in England, there was a glut of contemporary raw whale teeth, an abundance of talented artisans, and an opportunity not missed by a shady group, collectively known as the English School of Forgery (ESF). Basically, Victorian-era type scenes were scribed onto authentic whale teeth, which were then "aged" by immersion in tea or coffee, until the desired false "patina" shade was achieved. Individually, these teeth look quite convincing, but when two or more are side-by-side, the obvious "tell" of uniform false patina is revealed, even in the root cavity. Occasionally, one or two of these ESF scrimshaws show-up on eBay. Here are a few examples:

Only 5% of authentic antique scrimshaw has text, and only 2% of authentic antique scrimshaw are dated by scrimshander. Another "tell" about EFS scrimwork is the over-abundance of text & dates.  Also, note artificially dark, uniform tone of root cavity (below right).

The following is a "Moby Dick Scrimshaw" plastic model whale tooth kit. A similar plastic walrus tusk kit exists. Each contain a "clamshell" type assembly, with a separate, obviously fake cavity insert. The kit also contains a "scrimshaw" transfer decal, impressing tool & paint brush, dry plaster of Paris (for weighting model), & patina tint. This item occasionally shows up on eBay, listed as authentic scrimshaw.

Various tests for plastic have been published, such as the "hot needle" test, the "match" test, and viewing fakeshaw under black light (ultraviolet light). However, THESE TESTS USUALLY DO NOT WORK! The tests were useful when they were first published (as early as 1979), but manufacturers of resin fakeshaw are devious, and they are not fools. They read the test results also, and change their formulas, so that hot needles will not penetrate the newer polymers any better than they will penetrate real bone, a match won't necessarily burn it, and re-formulated resin may fluoresce under ultraviolet light to a degree that only a trained expert can distinguish it from organic matter.

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