Description:

**Originally Listed At $400**

Arctic shores, ca. 5000 years ago, modified sometime in the 19th or 20th century by Native Alaskan Inuit people. A large, polished walrus baculum. The walrus is an iconic Arctic animal, and they are famous for having the largest baculum - known to native peoples in the Arctic as an "oosik" - of all land animals. This example is a mottled brown-cream color with evidence of ossification along the interior cavity. The baculum is a bone found in the penis of many placental mammals, including some primates, which aids in maintaining stiffness during sexual reproduction. Fossilized bacula, which can be as long as 2' (60 cm), are, like this example, often polished and used as clubs by native Alaskan cultures - these are taken from sea lions, seals, polar bears, and, like this one, walruses. Size: 16.5" L x 1.875" W (41.9 cm x 4.8 cm)

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 Idledale, Colorado, 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.

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#176361

  • Condition: Small chips and abrasions, with area of wear to one side of wider end, and ossification visible within terminals, otherwise intact and very good. Great surface smoothness throughout.

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

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
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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