Scrimshaw

Carvings done by sailors using the jawbone or teeth of a whale or shark. The etched design was filled in with India ink or tar, then polished with sailmakers' wax and canvas. Scrimshaw includes etchings on bone, ivory, or shell. It was usually done on whaling ships. It is also used as a term to describe articles made of whalebone such as tools, kitchen implements and toys. A person who makes scrimshaw is called a scrimshander.