Whalers commonly made love tokens while they were at sea. Amongst the items that were made were busks which were a stiffening brace that fitted inside a pocket on a corset, usually centred between the breasts and reaching down to the waist. They were worked with symbols of love and fealty. The acceptance of a busk is immediately obvious with sexual connotations, physical contact with the ladie's breast and proximity to the heart, all powerful symbols of reciprocal affection.
Baleen (the flexible straining plate of particular whales), was possibly the best material for a busk available at that time as it was flexible but firm, thin and strong and lightweight. Erronously referred to as whalebone.
This busk is quite finely carved in relief in a series of panels. The top panel shows two crossed arrows, a pair of hearts and the word UNITY. Then in descending order, a castle, a whaling ship, an anchor with the initials HO and PP and finally a plant in a pot.
Excellent condition.
Mid nineteenth century.
Length. 350 mm. (13 3/4 inches).
top of page
$1,100.00Price