Please know that all of Tom's Artwork is Genuine Scrimshaw

Generally acknowledged as the only original American artform, scrimshaw as we know it now was born during the 18th century when whalers had an abundance of ivory teeth taken from the Sperm Whale which they hunted for it's oil. They also had lots of idle time and out of it developed an artform in which a jack knife, sharpened nail or canvas needle was used to scratch a design in a polished surface of an ivory whales tooth, the design was then rubbed with lamp black, squid ink or india ink, the ink was then wiped off and only the scratches held the ink forming the design. From these crude beginnings scrimshaw was perfected into a fine artform with color and photographic quality work possible with the use of magnification.

Tom High's scrimshaw reflects the area that he loves and is familiar with, the Rocky Mountains. Like the whalers of old that used the ships, whales and sea as their inspiration. Tom has perfected the artwork of the wildlife and nature he surrounds himself in.

Please remember that these are just a small selection of what Tom creates please email us if you are looking for something special.

We do NOT condone the killing of animals for there teeth, claws or horns.