Description:

Native American, Northwestern United States, Alaska, Beringian / Old Bering Sea Culture, ca. 200 BCE to 1000 CE. This is a hand-carved whale or walrus bone or caribou antler harpoon head with a projecting spur just before a recessed hafting slot. A pair of lashing slits flanking the slot are laterally drilled through the thick head. At the center is a circular perforation for fastening to a cord, and the rest of the blade may have tapered to a slotted tip for a receiving a bone blade. Across the surface are incised linear and stippled decorative patterns. The cultures of the Bering Sea often decorated their hunting and fishing tools with markings or images of the animals they hunted to honor the spirits and imbue their tools with power. These types of heads detached from the pole once it entered the target- a rope leash kept the head taut which anchored the harpoon blade in the flesh while the hunter hauled his catch into the boat or shore. Size: 2.5" L x 0.8" W (6.4 cm x 2 cm)

Provenance: private Covington, Louisiana, USA collection

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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.

#169872

  • Condition: Old loss to blade as shown and minor surface abrasions to lashing slot area. Dark patina throughout.

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June 15, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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