Description:

Ancient Seas, North America, Alaska, ca. 5000 years ago or older. A lengthy example of a walrus baculum exhibiting a bulbous head, a slender shaft, and mottled hues of brown, beige, caramel, and khaki. The walrus is an iconic Arctic animal that is famous for having the largest baculum - known to native Inuit peoples as an "oosik" - of all land animals. 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 are often polished and used as clubs by many native Alaskan cultures; the unpolished state of this example, however, suggests it was not used as a club. Size: 22.75" L x 2.4" W at widest area (57.8 cm x 6.1 cm)

Provenance: ex-private Tucson, Arizona, USA collection

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#170101

  • Condition: Abrasions, small nicks, and ossification as expected, with darkening to coloration of some surfaces, and some areas of roughness, otherwise intact and excellent. Great surface smoothness commensurate with age and not polishing. Old inventory label on one side of main body.

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February 24, 2022 10:00 AM MST
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Artemis Fine Arts

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