'Edward' Sperm Whale Sculpture

"Edward" the sperm whale is an ode to Edward Burdett (1805-1833) of Nantucket, MA.  Mr. Burdett is the first known American scrimshaw artist, and one of the best.  He was born on Nantucket, the son of a merchant sea captain, and he made his first whaling voyage at the tender age of 17 on the Nantucket whale ship Foster under Captain Shubael Chase.  He began scrimshandering circa 1824.  

Hand sculpted and painted porcelain

length:  11.5 inches

width:   9.5 inches

height:  5 inches