Scrimshaw Jagging (Pastry) Wheel

Object/Artifact

Historical Collection at the George Hail Free Library

Name/Title

Scrimshaw Jagging (Pastry) Wheel

Entry/Object ID

2025.04.01.06

Description

A kitchen tool with a carved depiction of a bird with a long neck towards the wheel of the tool and a spike to pierce the tops of pie crusts.

Use

Pie crimpers or jagging wheels are among the most common scrimshaw items carved by American 19th century whalemen. They were useful, as well as decorative kitchen implements. The fluted wheel was used to cut dough or seal the top of a pie crust to the sides before baking.

Context

The making of scrimshaw began on whaling ships in the late 18th century and survived until the ban on commercial whaling. It was a leisure activity practices by sailors who had an abundance of raw material (whale products) available.

Made/Created

Time Period

19th Century

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Tertiary Object Term

Scrimshaw

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Carving

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Wheel, Jagging

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Sculpture

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Tool, Food Cutting

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Food Preparation Equipment

Nomenclature Class

Art

Nomenclature Class

Food Processing & Preparation T&E

Nomenclature Category

Category 08: Communication Objects

Nomenclature Category

Category 04: Tools & Equipment for Materials

Getty AAT

Concept

scrimshaws, dough wheels

Dimensions

Width

8 in

Location

Cabinet

Display Case 6

Room

Charles Whipple Greene Historical Collection

Building

George Hail Free Library

Date

April 1, 2025

Web Links and URLs

Scrimshaw Ivory Jagging Wheel at the Smithosonian

Exhibition

Scrimshaw

Create Date

April 1, 2025

Update Date

July 17, 2025