Description:

Native American, Northwestern United States, Alaska, Inuit or Inupiat people, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. This is an interesting carving of an ominous face using a single large whale vertebra bone to hand sculpt the piece. The spinal canal hole creates a natural base / neck for the carving and the underside of this area is signed in Inuktitut script. The transverse processes are the flared protrusions to the sides- looking very much like horns or wings to represent the transformative spirit of a shaman figure- part bird, part human. The bared teeth are wonderfully delineated and create a very striking and somewhat menacing expression! Whale bone sculpture requires the use of old bone that has dried and ossified - new bone will splinter and be too oily to carve- hence the wonderfully aged and weathered appearance! Size: 12" L x 5" W x 9" H (30.5 cm x 12.7 cm x 22.9 cm)

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-S. and V. Friedman collection, New York City, New York, USA acquired in the 1960s

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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.

#171643

  • Condition: Natural ossification, pitting, and stable pressure fissures. Newer chips to base and surfaces. Overall good condition. Old inventory numbers and label on base. Signed in ink with Inuktitut script.

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May 12, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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