Unusual set of three scrimshaw gambling dice ~ Carved from a sperm whale tooth (approx. 1" square), with designs inlaid with pitch & red wax; early 19th century. “The time for recreation on a 19th century whaling ship was the second dogwatch, from 6 to 8 o’clock in the evening. Boxing was discouraged by the captains, but scrimshandering, dominoes, dice, backgammon, card games, cribbage, & chess were not. The stakes for seamen playing such games & using the dice were usually tobacco.”
(via Finch & Co.)