From the History Information Station: Object: Ivory brooch, carved from whale tooth. History: A whaling voyage was filled with days and weeks with nothing to do, and the art of scrimshaw emerged from the sailor's long days full of daydreams and longing for home. Scrimshaw is carved ivory. It was usually made from whale teeth, though walrus tusks and shells were also used. Scrimshaw took many forms and subjects, and trinkets for a sailor's wife or girlfriend were among the most common. Not all scrimshaw was made as gifts; some carvers were so prolific that they had carved ornaments to sell when ships pulled into port. Thus whale ivory jewelry found its way into the costumes of many Californios.