Description:

Native American, Alaskan, ca. 19th century CE. A hand-carved, heavy soapstone smoking pipe in the form of a whale. The whale has huge eyes, each carved as if having two long, ray-like streamers flowing from the eyelids. The body has incised lines forming fins on the sides and tail. The dorsal fin is large and cylindrical, forming a chamber. The mouth of the whale has a small, round opening that serves as the lip. The form of the pipe mirrors the bowhead whale, an animal of great cultural significance to the native people of Alaska, especially the Inupiat. Size: 12.05" L x 2.15" W x 4.3" H (30.6 cm x 5.5 cm x 10.9 cm)

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection; purportedly ex-Bonhams

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#136368

  • Condition: Small chips and nicks on surface, but nice preservation of form.

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June 21, 2018 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$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