This whale? Ivory handled tool is unique in my experience. The delicately turned terete handle is only about 3 inches long,, and decorated with 5 carefully spaced rings. These are filled with a dark pigment (tar or carbon black paste). The terminal end has stain that appears to be pitch. The other end is equipped with a non-ferrous ferrule, in which is embedded by a delicate “more than half-moon frame” (also non-ferrous) that encloses and grips a small magnifying lens that is about 1 1/8” diameter. I’m guessing that the lens may have originated as part of a spy glass or eye glasses. The magnification factor is substantial and the optics are very good. It may have been made and used by a scrimshander to check his work. It certainly is an aid to me when looking closely at engraved ivory. Fine
