Carved and black painted Sperm whale signed on the bottom “SPERM WHALE, 1968, by INNIS”. The whale is carved anatomically in excellent form. His open jaw shows about 40 inserted sharp metal teeth with its carved eye just rear of the mouth. Attached to the whale’s body a little back from the eye and below are a pair of pectoral fins which protrude from the body. The carving shows the whales ringed back and large fluke which is turned to the side as though he is motion. There is an impression at the top front of the whale’s head indicating the “blow hole”. The whale is mounted on a carved natural wood base, that simulates a breaking wave.
Condition: Excellent
Length 13 1/2 Inches, Height 5 3/4 Inches
Note 1: Robert Innis is probably one of the only one-armed carver and ship model builders. The detail of his work is highly detailed, and he was well regarded as a fine craftsman. His work is in the collection of several museums including Mystic Seaport, Peabody Museum, Heritage Museum and gardens. His whale carvings rarely appear on the market. (FA1139)
Note 2: "One Hand For The Ship…and the other for yourself” is a familiar sailor’s caution, relating to the dangerous task of “laying out” along a yard on a square-rigged sailing vessel, standing on the foot ropes, “kicking out” to bend forward over the yard when taking in sail in a blow. I adopted it here out of respect that former South Dennis resident Bob Innis built his ship models and fashioned his wildlife carvings with but one functional hand. As in, “One Hand for the Ship Models. Robert Irving Innis was my special friend, inspiration, encouragement, and mentor during his last years (1968-1983). Walter Trainer introduced me to Bob, who is best remembered for his skill and artistry in building models of famous American sailing ships, and later in life, carvings of shore birds and marine mammals. Many dozens of each are in private and institutional collections. While he and wife Mary were still with us, local newspapers frequently interviewed them, and the story of their wonderful and uncommon life together is well and deservedly chronicled, most notably by Paula Bacon. Cape cod Register, November 2, 2021.
