A 150-year tradition carved into a box small enough to hold in one hand.
Maker: Artist signed "Kovago '94"
Materials: Composite/resin, black velvet-like lining
Dimensions: 3.75" long x 1.75" tall
Origin: Unknown
Era: 1994
Condition: Excellent — no issues. Please review photos closely before purchasing, as all sales are final.
Carved in the scrimshaw tradition — the highly detailed engraving technique originally practiced by whalers on bone and ivory. The subject is the Swan Boats of Boston's Public Gardens, a beloved institution since the 1870s when Robert Paget first introduced his pedal-powered swan-sheltered boats. The carving detail is exceptional: bridge railings, deck planks, and swan faces all clearly rendered on the lid. The interior and underside are both lined in black velvet-like material.
For a Boston lover, a Swan Boats enthusiast, a scrimshaw collector, or anyone who appreciates art that tells a story. Makes a beautiful desk piece, shelf accent, or gift box for a small piece of jewelry.
Scrimshaw originated as a whaling-era folk art, in which sailors engraved detailed scenes into bone and ivory during long voyages; resin reproductions like this one carry the tradition's aesthetic into a more accessible, collectible format.
Browse our shop for more vintage scrimshaw-style trinket boxes to round out your collection.
