Description

Corset busk made of panbone (upper jaw of sperm whale), lower end rounded, upper end scalloped.  Piece is decorated with six incised motifs, from top to bottom: two lovebirds perched on a heart, cupid, full-length view of woman reading a book, butterfly on flower in flowerpot, [flower petals tinted red], cornucopia, five-pointed star; reverse undecorated; busk possibly part of collection of New London CT Jibboom Club [1870-1959].

A busk like this is a very intimate piece of scrimshaw, often given to loved ones, and inserted into a corset as a stiffener.