19th C. Scrimshawed Bone Cup, Anchor and Flags woman with children I love its clunkiness

I love its clunkiness

and also the carving's thinness--not much more than a silhouette treading stealthily along his base

and with pretty phenomenal aging to the paint on the steeple too

and from which this miniature clearly derives inspiration

19th C. Scrimshawed Bone Cup, Anchor and Flags woman with children I love its clunkinessI 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