Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Hand-carved folk sculpture by Geoffrey “G.B.” Davis

Materials: White Pine, Glass, Steel, Halved Croquet Ball, Found Pine, and Leather
Dimensions: 11" L × 3 1/4" W × 8 1/4" H
Finish: Traditional milk paint, waxed and buffed
Status: Available

Description
The sperm whale is the great whale of maritime legend, the creature that inspired generations of whaling stories. This carving evokes the famous white whale of Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick, a symbol of the power and mystery of the sea. Historically, sperm whales were hunted for their oil—once used as fuel—and for spermaceti, a waxy substance prized in the making of fine perfumes and candles.

Closer
This piece belongs to a growing collection of hand-carved animals inspired by natural history, folklore, and the long tradition of American folk carving.