Bone or Ivory Scraper

[kymtnpeddler]

I'm trying to identify this item. It appears to be a scraper of sometype, possibly bone or ivory. Any ideas?

 

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[baspinall]

Reminds me of a Rhythm bone.

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en...urce=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=XqtjUPyJN_CB0QH3qYC4CA

 

[Red James Cash]

Its a sailors Fid,for untying knots in rope and mending sails.I have one almost just like it except its scrimshawed

 

[baspinall]

I have one of those as well. Not totally convinced it's a Sailors Fid. They all seem to have more of a point on them for working the knots.

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en...&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=Aa9jUJLZEJK30AHm2QE

Here is the one I have.

 

[Red James Cash]

It most likely broke at some point.The one i have has scrimshawed but then at some point snapped in half and half the scrimshaw is missing.So my guess is the sailor made it into a fid when originally was a piece of scrimshaw work.His art was ruined so he made it into a tool.

 

[bikermike]

I saw this in the past. It fits the sailor theme also. Just guessing. The Maori of New Zealand used bone chisels to carve designs straight into the flesh. After the lines were cut, the chisel was dipped into ink and and tapped into the gashes.

 

[Lanny in AB]

Very interesting find. I hope you get it ID'd.

All the best,

Lanny

 

[Gunrunner61]

Looks like an Indian fleshing tool to me, Used to scrap away any lasting pieces of flesh during the tanning process.
Just mho....................HH

 

[silversweeper]

Can't identify the tool type for you but I'm about 90% sure that it's made of elephant ivory, which means that it is most probably African in origin. The tool type and age aren't right for it to be Asian, I don't think. My guess is a fleshing tool of some kind but it's not Native American. Can we ask if you know any history on the piece?

 

[Curious The George]

Might not hurt to have the poster of this item give a little information about where it was found. Everyone seems to be assuming that it is in the USA, I don't see anything other than a dollar bill to suggest that.

Some information about it's history would be much help in identification.

 

[stefen]

I'm trying to identify this item. It appears to be a scraper of sometype, possibly bone or ivory. Any ideas?

KYMTNPEDDLER...WHERE FOUND GEOGRAPHICALLY...UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS...AND ANY OTHER INFO THAT WOULD ASSIST IN IDENTIFYING.

 

[capt-zero]

Throw in my two cents worth. As a serious collector of ivory, this item appears to have numerous pores over it suggesting bone instead of ivory. Bone, as living tissue, had to have a blood supply; thus will always have a porous texture. Look at it under a magnifier, if there are pores, it is almost certainly bone. If it was found in the lower 48, Native Americans were not historically known for their ivory imports.

 

[kymtnpeddler]

Thanks to everyone for your input. I know very little on the history of the item as it belongs to a friend. He lives in Central Kentucky and it was part of his uncles estate. His uncle had a large collection of interesting items mostly American Indian in the form of arrow heads and pipes. I'll try and get more history from him and repost such as if his uncle traveled, etc. Thanks again.