whale bone
Victorian corset material
Whalebone is the flexible, horn-like material from the upper jaw of baleen whales, used historically in corsets, umbrella ribs, and other items requiring springy stiffness.
Despite the name, it isn't bone but keratin—the same substance as fingernails.
The material has been largely replaced by plastic and steel.
Also spelled as two words.
- baleenWhale's filtering bristles
- filter feederAnimal straining waterborne nutrients
- corsetBoned waist-shaping undergarment
- scrimshawEngraved whale ivory art
- staysRemains in place
hoop skirt · hoop skirts · Victorian · Victorian fashion · filter · sea mammal · keratin · flexible · bustle · parasol · krill · harpoon · plankton · crinoline · carving · strainer · bodice · dress form
- animal productswool, leather, hide, pelt, fur
- beachcombingseashell, shells, driftwood, sea glass, sand dollar
- fossilsammonite, amber, ammonites, fossils, fossil
- Whalingharpoon gun, harpoon guns, flensing, harpooner, spermaceti
- corsetrycorset, stays, busk, waist cincher, lacing
- seafoodfish, shrimp, crab, lobster, salmon