Which term refers to the decoration of bone or ivory with fanciful designs?

• A. Scrimshaw
• B. Motif
• C. Engraving
• D. Repoussé

Answer: (A)

Scrimshaw is the term for decorating bone or ivory with fanciful designs. This old maritime craft involves carving or engraving on whale bone, ivory, or similar materials, often rubbing ink into the lines to make the images stand out. The designs are typically narrative scenes or decorative motifs tied to the material and the sailor-made context.

Why this is the best fit: it specifically describes the activity and material in question—decorating bone or ivory with intricate designs—unlike the other terms. A motif is just a design or theme, not a done-to-the-material technique; engraving refers to incising lines on any surface, not limited to bone or ivory; repoussé is a metalworking method creating relief by shaping from the reverse side, not related to bone or ivory. A helpful image to attach to memory is thinking of sailors scratching scenes into whale teeth or ivory and then sometimes rubbing charcoal into the scratches to make them visible.