Rare Whalebone Fishing Reel, American, 19th Century. The fishing reel has a center post with a carved handle with a round shaft. The handle is finely carve with an eight-sided grip and a carved decahedron bottom. The handle fits through a center hole in a pair of flat thin whalebone mounts. The top end is held in place with an original carter pin.
There are two round whalebone dowels connected to the two boards and these are stationary and hold the reel together. The reel can spin pivoting around the three piece cage so it performs like an early fishing hand reel. This is the only example of this form we have encountered. (SC 1326)
Condition: Excellent.
Dimensions: Height: 13 inches, Width 8 1/2 inches.