Roger Trescher Arts

Inspired by Nantucket’s historic scrimshaw tradition, these works reinterpret a craft once carved into whale teeth during the whaling era. As that practice belongs to the past, Roger chose to carve into fine Italian stone and tile instead — preserving the detail and patience of the original form without repeating it.

Frames are built from reclaimed wood sourced locally through decades of carpentry work on Nantucket. Each piece carries not only craftsmanship, but fragments of the island’s built history — shaped by hand and given new life.

Seeking further challenge, Roger began exploring variations of his scrimshaw-inspired work through new materials. Among them, African ostrich eggs became a favored medium — selected for their rarity and for the balance they demand between strength and delicacy. Their surface requires patience, precision, and restraint, aligning naturally with the discipline of the work.