King Island, Alaska
Walrus ivory
19th century or before
Length 1 3/4 inches, width 3/4 inches
Provenance: Private collection, Maine
A bird gaming piece carved from walrus ivory by the Inuit of King Island, in the Bering Strait off the Alaskan coast. The small figure is shaped as a resting bird, the body banded with incised zigzag and sawtooth designs darkened with pigment and pierced for stringing. The ivory has mellowed to a warm cream tone with age.
Carved ivory birds of this kind served as playing pieces in traditional games, in which a set of small birds was scattered and scored by how each came to rest. The form and the engraved banding are characteristic of King Island work of the nineteenth century or earlier. Provenance traces to a private collection in Maine.
This is an ESA antique exempt ivory object. It cannot be sold internationally or to buyers residing in California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, or Washington. The piece is guaranteed to have been made prior to 1972.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
King Island, Alaska
Walrus ivory
19th century or before
Length 1 3/4 inches, width 3/4 inches
Provenance: Private collection, Maine
A bird gaming piece carved from walrus ivory by the Inuit of King Island, in the Bering Strait off the Alaskan coast. The small figure is shaped as a resting bird, the body banded with incised zigzag and sawtooth designs darkened with pigment and pierced for stringing. The ivory has mellowed to a warm cream tone with age.
Carved ivory birds of this kind served as playing pieces in traditional games, in which a set of small birds was scattered and scored by how each came to rest. The form and the engraved banding are characteristic of King Island work of the nineteenth century or earlier. Provenance traces to a private collection in Maine.
This is an ESA antique exempt ivory object. It cannot be sold internationally or to buyers residing in California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, or Washington. The piece is guaranteed to have been made prior to 1972.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
