King Island, Alaska, Inuit
19th century or before
Walrus ivory
Length 1 3/4" (4.4 cm); width 3/4" (1.9 cm)
Provenance: Private collection, Maine
Carved ivory bird figures served as playing pieces in traditional Inuit games, in which a set of small birds was scattered and scored by how each came to rest. King Island, situated in the Bering Strait off the Alaska coast, was home to a community of Inuit hunters and carvers whose ivory work is among the most technically accomplished of the Arctic region. Pieces of this type date to the 19th century or earlier, predating the period of commercial ivory carving produced for outside trade.
This figure is shaped as a resting bird, the body banded with incised zigzag and sawtooth designs darkened with pigment, executed with precision at a scale of under two inches. The form and engraved banding are characteristic of King Island carving of the 19th century or earlier, and the ivory has mellowed to a warm cream tone consistent with age. 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 or before
Walrus ivory
Length 1 3/4" (4.4 cm); width 3/4" (1.9 cm)
Provenance: Private collection, Maine
Carved ivory bird figures served as playing pieces in traditional Inuit games, in which a set of small birds was scattered and scored by how each came to rest. King Island, situated in the Bering Strait off the Alaska coast, was home to a community of Inuit hunters and carvers whose ivory work is among the most technically accomplished of the Arctic region. Pieces of this type date to the 19th century or earlier, predating the period of commercial ivory carving produced for outside trade.
This figure is shaped as a resting bird, the body banded with incised zigzag and sawtooth designs darkened with pigment, executed with precision at a scale of under two inches. The form and engraved banding are characteristic of King Island carving of the 19th century or earlier, and the ivory has mellowed to a warm cream tone consistent with age. Provenance traces to a private collection in Maine.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
