Description:

Native American, Northwestern United States, Alaska, Beringian / Old Bering Sea Culture to Punuk stage, ca. 200 BCE to 1000 CE. This is a hand-carved Old Bering Sea type of harpoon head carved from walrus ivory with an end blade slot, a central perforation for a cord, and a long spur that would have helped secure the head to a wooden pole. The piece is beautifully etched with linear markings that accentuate the surface, imbuing the deadly harpoon with power that also honored the animals that were taken. These types of heads were fitted with sharp stone blades and detached from the pole once it entered the target- a rope leash kept the head taut and anchored the harpoon blade in the flesh, so the hunter could haul his catch into the boat or shore. Size: 4.125" L x 1" W (10.5 cm x 2.5 cm)

This is a pre-Act piece of walrus ivory under the MMPA 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 Covington, Louisiana, 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.

#169871

  • Condition: Loss and missing spur and opening area around hafting slot. Smooth surface and great patina throughout.

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Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

June 15, 2022 8:00 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