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A scrimshaw turban shell carved with the Leviathan

Offered by: Wick Antiques LTD

Description
A scrimshaw turban shell carved with the Leviathan, the polished mother-of-pearl shell incised throughout in black penwork with a full-width image of the paddle-steamer ‘Leviathan’ against decorative floral scrolls, vases and flags, a panel on the back within the outline of a ship’s stern reads ‘The Leviathan 25,000 tons, Length 690 feet, Breadth 82 Do., Depth 60 Do., Across paddle wheels 111 Do.’ English, circa 1858.

Originally named ‘Leviathan’ this huge ship, the brainchild of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, is more famous as the ‘SS Great Eastern’. She was an iron sail-powered, paddle wheel and screw-propelled steamship built by John Scott Russell & Co. on the Isle of Dogs, and the largest ship ever built at the time. She had the capacity to carry 4,000 passengers from England to Australia, via India, without refuelling. Brunel died shortly after her maiden voyage, but she continued as a passenger ship until 1866, when she was converted to a cable-laying ship and laid the first lasting transatlantic telegraph cable in 1866.

More Information

Origin:	England
Period:	19th Century
Materials:	Shell
Condition:	Good.
Creation Date:	Circa 1858
Styles / Movements:	Traditional
Patterns:	Beach/Nautical
Incollect Reference #:	544906

Dimensions

W.	7.5 in;
W.	19.05 cm;

Message from Seller:

Wick Antiques was established by Charles Wallrock in the early 1980s. Having grown up in the Antiques world Charles developed an extensive wealth of knowledge. Starting out as a ‘man with a van’ he quickly gained a good reputation and embarked on a longstanding relationship with Harrods. He was later joined by his wife, Caroline Wallrock. Caroline having completed a Persian degree, went on to study at Christie’s fine art and then joined Sotheby’s specializing in Islamic and Japanese works of art

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