19th C. Scrimshawed Bone Cup, Anchor and Flags woman with children (There is a great website

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

where the canvas shows through in some areas

In my ideal world

I find it hard to decipher but certain phrases seems to appear over and over

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

19th C. Scrimshawed Bone Cup, Anchor and Flags woman with children (There is a great websiteI 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