Description:

Native American, Pacific Northwest Coast United States, Alaska, Inupiaq/Inuit people, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A spirit mask carved from porous whale bone and inlaid with walrus tusk ivory as the eyes. Spirit masks bridge the worlds of the living and spirits and the moon - the face is modeled after the moon which is also where Inupiaq believed whales originated. Whale bone sculpture requires the use of older bone that has dried and ossified - new bone will splinter and be too oily to carve- hence the wonderfully aged and weathered appearance. Size: 7" L x 6.75" W (17.8 cm x 17.1 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.

This is an ESA antique exempt piece of walrus ivory 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.

Provenance: private Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, 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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#181154

  • Condition: Natural bone ossification and some light flaking when handled. Intact without repairs.

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September 8, 2023 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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