King Island, Alaska, Inuit
19th century
Walrus ivory
Length 2" (5.1 cm); width 1/2" (1.3 cm)
Provenance: Private collection, Maine
Toggle carvings of this type served as fasteners on hunting helmets or garments, threaded through a pierced channel and secured by cord, combining functional and aesthetic purpose in a single carved object. King Island, situated in the Bering Strait off the Alaska coast, was home to a community of Inuit hunters and carvers whose walrus ivory work is among the most accomplished of the Arctic region. Pieces of this type date to the 19th century, predating the period of commercial ivory carving produced for outside trade.
This toggle is carved in the smoothly rounded form of a beluga whale, with a finely engraved eye and mouth and a pierced channel for the cord intact. The carving is executed with economy and precision, the form immediately readable at a scale of two inches. The ivory has aged to a soft cream tone consistent with 19th century production, and provenance traces to a private collection in Maine.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
King Island, Alaska, Inuit
19th century
Walrus ivory
Length 2" (5.1 cm); width 1/2" (1.3 cm)
Provenance: Private collection, Maine
Toggle carvings of this type served as fasteners on hunting helmets or garments, threaded through a pierced channel and secured by cord, combining functional and aesthetic purpose in a single carved object. King Island, situated in the Bering Strait off the Alaska coast, was home to a community of Inuit hunters and carvers whose walrus ivory work is among the most accomplished of the Arctic region. Pieces of this type date to the 19th century, predating the period of commercial ivory carving produced for outside trade.
This toggle is carved in the smoothly rounded form of a beluga whale, with a finely engraved eye and mouth and a pierced channel for the cord intact. The carving is executed with economy and precision, the form immediately readable at a scale of two inches. The ivory has aged to a soft cream tone consistent with 19th century production, and provenance traces to a private collection in Maine.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
