Antique Sailor Made Scrimshawed Ruler and Presumed Busk Fragment slip painted pottery but there is no stuffing

but there is no stuffing there to come out and it is holding on fine (and a few more stitches to reinforce it would be very easy to do

He did not manifest great force of character in gaining a livelihood but was so perservering in his efforts to gain attention and affection that he was readily granted a home and all that he required

1940s-early 50s

an early American set

Antique Sailor Made Scrimshawed Ruler and Presumed Busk Fragment slip painted pottery but there is no stuffingI'll never resist a handmade ruler, all the more so a sailor whaler made one, this one measuring seven inches. I found it along with what I believe is a fragment from a busk a common form for scrimshawing, to bring home to wives and sweethearts for use in corsets. The decoration on this one is minimal, but very fine, perhaps meant for a name to be engraved inside of it. Earlier than later 19th century New England I believe, lovely things. Ruler