19th century
Bone
Height 1 1/4 inches, length 4 1/8 inches
Provenance: Private Northwest collection; Bushells Auction House, Seattle, Washington
A Tlingit shaman's charm carved from bone, the surface worked into a single animal figure in the round eyed, formline manner of the Northwest Coast. A drilled hole near the center allowed the amulet to be suspended, worn, or lashed to the shaman's regalia. The bone has taken on a warm, deeply worn patina from generations of handling.
Charms of this kind were central to the practice of Northwest Coast shamans, who called on spirit helpers to heal, divine, and influence events. Their imagery is distinctive, favoring animal spirits, often shown with skeletal features, and figures caught in transformation between human and animal form. The bared teeth, large eye, and clasped limbs seen here belong to that visual language of spiritual power.
The carving dates to the nineteenth century and descends from a private Northwest collection. It passed most recently through Bushells Auction House in Seattle, Washington. The density of the carving and the depth of the patina mark it as an early and much handled example.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
19th century
Bone
Height 1 1/4 inches, length 4 1/8 inches
Provenance: Private Northwest collection; Bushells Auction House, Seattle, Washington
A Tlingit shaman's charm carved from bone, the surface worked into a single animal figure in the round eyed, formline manner of the Northwest Coast. A drilled hole near the center allowed the amulet to be suspended, worn, or lashed to the shaman's regalia. The bone has taken on a warm, deeply worn patina from generations of handling.
Charms of this kind were central to the practice of Northwest Coast shamans, who called on spirit helpers to heal, divine, and influence events. Their imagery is distinctive, favoring animal spirits, often shown with skeletal features, and figures caught in transformation between human and animal form. The bared teeth, large eye, and clasped limbs seen here belong to that visual language of spiritual power.
The carving dates to the nineteenth century and descends from a private Northwest collection. It passed most recently through Bushells Auction House in Seattle, Washington. The density of the carving and the depth of the patina mark it as an early and much handled example.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
