Lot 152
Native American, Northwestern United States, Alaska, Inuit, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A fascinating walrus oosik (known as a baculum or penis bone) with whale baleen and walrus ivory caps on each end. The narrow tip is covered by a dark brown baleen disk and the ivory cap is carved with an Inuit face. The other end has another baleen disk and an ivory cap lightly incised with a boat and linear shapes. The walrus is an iconic Arctic animal, and they are famous for having the largest average baculum size of all mammals. The baculum is a bone found in the penis of many placental mammals and is a dense piece that is hard to carve, thus these bones were often simply polished- or like this example- ivory tips were added for embellishment. The Size: 13.75" L x 1.5" W (34.9 cm x 3.8 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.
Provenance: private Brevard, North Carolina, USA collection
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#171046
- Condition: Minor chips to bone oosik and natural pitting. Minor nicks and natural striations to ivory caps. Chips and abrasions to baleen discs and remains of adhesive on wider end. Overall excellent condition.
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