King Island, Alaska
19th century or before
Walrus ivory
Length: 1½ in (3.8 cm); Width: ¼ in (0.6 cm)
Provenance: Private collection, Maine
This small toggle is carved from walrus ivory in the form of a bird head, with an elongated beak, single incised eye, and a suspension loop at the base bound with a dark fiber wrapping. Toggles of this type were functional objects used to secure clothing, bags, and harness lines, carved with a formal economy that transforms a utilitarian form into a compact sculptural object. King Island, situated in the Bering Sea, was home to Inuit carvers whose ivory work is among the most accomplished produced in Alaska.
The warm amber patina and dark banding at the loop are consistent with age and handling. The clarity of the bird form — resolved in a tapered, pointed silhouette — reflects the Inuit carving tradition of achieving strong animal character through reduction rather than elaboration.
This is an ESA antique exempt piece of ivory and cannot be sold internationally, or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. We guarantee that the piece was made prior to 1972.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
King Island, Alaska
19th century or before
Walrus ivory
Length: 1½ in (3.8 cm); Width: ¼ in (0.6 cm)
Provenance: Private collection, Maine
This small toggle is carved from walrus ivory in the form of a bird head, with an elongated beak, single incised eye, and a suspension loop at the base bound with a dark fiber wrapping. Toggles of this type were functional objects used to secure clothing, bags, and harness lines, carved with a formal economy that transforms a utilitarian form into a compact sculptural object. King Island, situated in the Bering Sea, was home to Inuit carvers whose ivory work is among the most accomplished produced in Alaska.
The warm amber patina and dark banding at the loop are consistent with age and handling. The clarity of the bird form — resolved in a tapered, pointed silhouette — reflects the Inuit carving tradition of achieving strong animal character through reduction rather than elaboration.
This is an ESA antique exempt piece of ivory and cannot be sold internationally, or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. We guarantee that the piece was made prior to 1972.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
