Description:

**Originally Listed At $300**

Native American, Northwestern United States, Alaska, Inuit or Inupiat people, ca. 18th to 19th century CE. A pair of walrus tusk ivory labrets, each with a thick cylindrical body, surmounted with a slightly flared face. The wearer would insert the plug into their lip as a facial accessory and the flared end held the labret in place. Wearing a labret could indicate rank and tribal affiliation as well as simply being a personal adornment. Piercing below the lower lip happened in childhood, and then the piercing was stretched periodically to fit larger labrets. Size: 1.125" L x 1" W x 1.125" H (2.9 cm x 2.5 cm x 2.9 cm)

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.

Please note this item falls under the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act and is not eligible for international shipping. Native American, Alaska Native, & Native Hawaiian objects can only be shipped within the United States.

Provenance: private Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA collection, purchased around 2007; ex-Al Wiederhold collection, Alaska, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

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#168772

  • Condition: Old abrasions and chips to face and stem on one labret, other is intact. Natural, dark striation lines in both and yellow patina from age. Overall great condition.

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March 30, 2023 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000