Description:

Native American / First Nations, United States, Alaska & Canada, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A collection of walrus ivory and bone carvings- a letter opener, a face pendant on a cord, and a pair of "billiken" goodluck figures. The largest upright bone figure is engraved with the name Vasseka, likely for Andrei Vasseka (1964- present). Born in Russia (USSR), he studied carving at Magadan - a port town in the far east of Russia - a region with a tradition of bone, ivory, and stone carving amongst Siberian Indigenous people, and Vasseka moved to Alaska in 1993. Billikens were American troll-like dolls, adopted by Inuit carvers the early 20th century as trinkets to sell. Size of letter opener: 7.25" L x 1.2" W (18.4 cm x 3 cm)

This is an ESA antique exempt piece of 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. We guarantee the piece was made prior to 1972.

Provenance: private Hood River, Oregon, 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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#178604

  • Condition: Natural ossification and pitting to the large Vasseka carving. Surface wear and fading to pigments on face pendant, suspension cord has a waxy surface. Minor nicks to small figure and letter opener.

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July 21, 2023 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
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$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