A matched pair of walrus tusks engraved with scrimshaw decoration in the form of Victorian portraiture and botanical motifs. One tusk depicts a well-dressed gentleman in a three-piece suit with cravat and curled mustache; the other features a woman in a high Victorian gown with lace collar, puffed sleeves, and elaborate updo—details consistent with late 19th-century fashion. The portraits are framed by foliage and potted plants rendered in a light, deliberate hand. Both tusks are drilled at the tips, suggesting they were once mounted or suspended as decorative panels. The symmetry of the pair, and the relationship implied between the figures, indicates they may have been crafted as a sentimental or romantic gift. The work is naive yet charming, likely sailor-executed for presentation or sale. Historical Note: Scrimshaw—the art of engraving or carving on ivory and bone—developed as a pastime for sailors aboard whaling and sealing vessels during the 18th and 19th centuries. By the mid-19th century, walrus ivory was a preferred medium among American whalers in Arctic and Alaskan waters, valued for its size, shape, and availability through hunting or trade with Indigenous peoples. Unlike whale teeth, which offered a limited surface area, walrus tusks provided elongated, gently curved canvases ideal for panoramic scenes or portrait panels. Romantic subjects, often sweethearts or fashionable couples, were popular, either as personal keepsakes or to sell in port. The attire depicted here, with the man’s short lapel coat and bowtie and the woman’s voluminous sleeves and lace collar, reflects fashions of the 1880s–1890s—placing the creation of these tusks at the close of the great American whaling era. Dimensions: Length (each tusk): Approx. 14 in. Provenance: Estate of Ron Lerch. Ivory & Marine Mammal Compliance Note: This item qualifies as an antique under U.S. federal law. Possession of antique elephant or marine mammal ivory (including walrus) is legal in all 50 states; however, some states restrict shipment of such items into their borders. If you reside in California, Oregon, Washington, New York, New Jersey, Minnesota, Illinois, Hawaii, or the District of Columbia, we cannot ship directly to you — but you may legally purchase and pick up the item in Nevada (or have an agent pick it up for you). Buyers are responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. Pickup & Shipping: This lot may be picked up free of charge in Gardnerville, NV. Shipping via FedEx Ground/Home available within the continental U.S. for $50. All shipments include Direct Signature Required and full replacement value insurance at a rate of 1.5% of the purchase price, unless the buyer accepts full liability in writing. Combined lot shipping is typically discounted. Stable age cracks to the bases of both tusks; surface wear and darkening at tips and edges; one tusk with a faint split along the engraving of the woman’s dress. All consistent with age and natural ivory shrinkage.