19th C. Scrimshawed Bone Cup, Anchor and Flags stone fruit pear earning a scholarship for drama

earning a scholarship for drama to MIT where he graduated with a degree in metallurgical engineering

The owl measures 3" tall x 3 1/2" wide x 2 1/4" deep and is marked "Japan" on bottom

) It looks to have been owned at some point by an Elsie whose last name is a bit of a challenge to decipher

but this small scale one is the first I've really felt compelled to purchase

and think most likely the river pictured is the Hudson

19th C. Scrimshawed Bone Cup, Anchor and Flags stone fruit pear earning a scholarship for dramaI 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