Description:

Arctic shores, ca. 5000 years ago, modified sometime in the 19th or 20th century CE by Alaskan Natives. A large, polished walrus baculum. 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 mottled cream color, grading to brown near the ends, with the bone structure clear at each end. 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, like this example, often polished and used as clubs by native Alaskan cultures - these are taken from sea lions, seals, polar bears, and, like this one, walruses. Size: 21.25" W x 2.2" H (54 cm x 5.6 cm); 5.55" H (14.1 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: ex-private Pearson collection, Denver, Colorado, USA

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#143147

  • Condition: Intact, with a rich patina on surface from age and handling.

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January 24, 2019 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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