whale bone or whale baleen. Size 6.5 (not resizable). Long months aboard whaling ships or mechant vessels left idle hands restless. These rings were made at sea by sailors using whatever they could access: whale materials from their own catch, floating driftwood, tagua seeds or coconut shells from tropical ports, pieces of ammunition casing or other scrap metal. The subject matter reflected the natural wonders or unfamiliar cultures encountered on distant voyages. What kind of creature is this? Date: 19th c. Worn a lot so the bottom of the shank is thin.