A Fine Pair of Narwhal Tusk Points (1800 to 1900 Europe)

Narwhal Tusk

Provenance: Ex London Private collection
C.I.T.E.S documentation available
See: Finch and Co catalogue no. 3, item no. 40, cat no. 7, item no. 129, and cat no. 8, item no. 55, for other examples

The Danish King Frederick III who ruled from 1648 to 1670 possessed a tiny boat made of narwhal tusk, but believed to be of unicorn's horn and therefore able to detect the presence of poison. Made in the mid 1660's by Jacob Jensen Nordmand who relates in his autobiography: 'In August I made for His Majesty a boat of unicorn bound in gold. The anchor on it was also made of gold, the sails were of unicorn as thin as eggshell. It can float in a goblet of wine, following a magnet wherever one desires.' In the little boat's prow was set a piece of iron so that with a magnet one could draw the boat around the wine goblet. This magical miniature sailboat can still be seen in Rosenberg Castle in Copenhagen.

ANOTHER SINGLE EXAMPLE IS NOW IN STOCK
SIZE: 52 INCHES HIGH (132cm high) overall height

A Fine Pair of Narwhal Tusk Points
19th Century

Size: 108.5cm high and 109cm high – 42¾ ins high and 43 ins high (including stands)