Nautical Folk Art Whale Flensing Iron / Spade – Nantucket, Massachusetts, Dated 1888

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This is a rare and authentic 19th-century whale flensing spade, hand-forged in Massachusetts and used in the Nantucket whaling industry.

… Read more This is a rare and authentic 19th-century whale flensing spade, hand-forged in Massachusetts and used in the Nantucket whaling industry.

Dated 1888, the forged iron blade is mounted to its original, hand-carved wooden handle. Typical of early maritime tools, its design is charmingly primitive, with flat, hammered surfaces and a well-worn patina from years of use at sea. The condition is outstanding for its age, showing honest wear, and the iron retains the texture and heft characteristic of early 19th-century metalwork.

One side of the handle is marked with the date “1888,” while the reverse bears the initials “AEB•R.” A folk art-style heart insignia with a scalloped border design adds a personal and decorative touch. The initials “ASI” are also incised into the handle, possibly referencing the blacksmith or owner.

This substantial tool measures over 40 inches long and 9 inches wide at the blade’s broadest point, weighing about 9 pounds. See less