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Artifact

Baleen

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Martha's Vineyard Museum

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About this artifact

Some whales, like the Sperm whale, have teeth. Others have baleen, large keratin plates that act as filters for plankton. Baleen was used in many different items, such as boning for corsets and as frames for the large hoop skirts that women wore.

Dimensions:
Width: 6 1/4" Length: 21 3/4"

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