Screech Owl Scrimshaw on Fossilized Walrus Ivory

This decorative piece features a detailed scrimshaw engraving of a Great Horned or Screech Owl perched on a branch. The artwork is executed on a vertical slice of fossilized walrus ivory, characterized by its creamy to tan coloration and organic, rounded shape. The ivory shows a natural, aged patina with visible grain and slight mineral staining near the top edge, typical of fossilized marine specimens. The owl is rendered using fine stippling and cross-hatching techniques with black ink, demonstrating high-quality craftsmanship and attention to plumage detail. The ivory piece is mounted onto a rustic, unfinished stone or fossilized bone base, which provides a weighted and stable foundation. There is a visible artist signature at the bottom right of the engraving, which appears to read 'A. Cooper' or similar, dated '1981'. The condition appears excellent with no visible cracks or chips, preserved in a folk-art style common in the late 20th century. The piece measures approximately 4 to 6 inches in height including the base.

Based on a visual examination of the provided images, this piece represents a classic example of late-20th-century scrimshaw folk art. The substrate appears consistent with fossilized walrus ivory, exhibiting the characteristic cream-to-tan coloration and typical core textures expected of such organic material. The execution of the owl, likely a Screech or Great Horned Owl, demonstrates competent artistry with effective use of stippling to create depth in the plumage. The signature, dated 1981, places this in the revival period of scrimshaw popularity. The condition appears excellent, with the ivory showing a pleasing, stable patina and no obvious desiccation cracks, which can be a significant risk for materials of this age. The mounting on a raw stone or fossilized bone base adds to the aesthetic value, grounding the piece as a complete decorative object. While the market for ivory products is strictly regulated, fossilized walrus ivory is generally legal to trade within the US (state laws permitting), provided it predates the 1972 MMPA bans or meets specific fossil criteria. Values for signed works of this size and quality typically range from $450 to $650, driven by collectors of nautical or wildlife folk art. However, definitive positive identification of the material as fossilized walrus ivory rather than bone or modern ivory requires physical inspection of the grain (Schreger lines) and density. Furthermore, verifying the artist 'A. Cooper' against known scrimshander registries would help solidify the upper end of the estimate. While the visual evidence strongly supports the attribution, physical handling is necessary to confirm the absence of microscopic fissures and to verify the stability of the mount.