Description:

Arctic shores, ca. 5000 years ago, with Native American (Inuit or Alaskan native) human modifications (the carved grooves) likely from the 18th or 19th century CE. A highly polished oosik with two deep grooves, one near each end, filled with dark organic material. 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 rich, creamy brown, with the bone structure clear at the widest part of the bone. Size: 13.5" L x 1.4" W (34.3 cm x 3.6 cm)

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 often polished and used as clubs by native Alaskan cultures - they take these from sea lions, seals, polar bears, and, like this one, walruses. This is a beautiful example.

Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection

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#130928

  • Condition: Excellent patina on surface from age and handling. Small collection sticker on one end. Encrusted organic material with some losses in each groove.

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March 1, 2018 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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