19th C. Scrimshawed Bone Cup, Anchor and Flags woman with children and from which this miniature

and from which this miniature clearly derives inspiration

and collecting plumb bobs in all of their wonderful varieties feels like a good idea to me

and also the carving's thinness--not much more than a silhouette treading stealthily along his base

(There is a great website dedicated to antique whistles: https://www

19th C. Scrimshawed Bone Cup, Anchor and Flags woman with children and from which this miniatureI believe this was made as a spirit cup and dates to the Civil War era, based on a few others I have turned up that are similar. And I believe it is French flags that are cross the anchor at center, with finials evoking the fleur de lys representing the French navy. Likely made by a sailor aboard a ship, and, despite a rim chip on one side, quite a lovely thing, which would make a great dice cup now. 2 1 2" t x 1 3 4." Chip to the rim as documented