Monday, 16 November 2009 09:52
Visitors to Faial should be sure to visit Dutch scrimshaw artist John van Opstal at his Horta home. He is happy to show visitors how scrimshaw is made using ivory from whales’ teeth, a needle, and various dyes. The ancient art of scrimshaw goes back to the Stone Age when hunters scratched figures of mammoths onto pieces of ivory. In North America, whalers took up the art in the 1800s as a way to pass the time during the 1800s using whale bones and ivory. van Opstal’s artwork reflects on the early days with pictures of ships, sea, whales, and families left behind at home. His work is sold all over the world and his pieces range from 50 to 1,300 euros (about $71.13 to $1,849.51). John van Opstal – Address: Banda da Vila, 17-c - Espalamaca-Conceição Horta, Faial, Azores – Tel. +351 292.392.720
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Portugal National Tourist Office