Collection - Eskimo Material Culture SOLD An extraordinary grouping of Eskimo material culture objects comprising of:
This is one of the best eskimo/inuit stone lamps we have handled perfect sculptural form, smooth, refined inner dish surface.. A very old piece from Kodiak Island, home of the Kodiak bears. One can imagine how important such a source of light was to peoples living on a remote island, with few hours of light during the long winters. There is a similar, but in our opinion, less well crafted stone oil lamp from the collection of the Smithsonian Institution, collected in 1864, this illustrated in The Far North, 2000 Years of American Eskimo and Indian Art., 1973, National Gallery of Art (Exhibition Catalogue)
Ancient Inuit ivory dish
An ancient inuit bowl formed of a piece of walrus ivory that has been scraped into a holding form. Glossy surface from use and exposure. Hundreds of years old. length: 22 cm / 8 ¾ in
Ancient inuit ivory firestarter
An ancient firestarter with drilled holes for placing a twirling stick. Glossy, dark surface. Walrus ivory. length: 29.5 cm / 11 ¾ in
2 old Eskimo Knives
A very old Eskimo knife with ancient walrus ivory handle, terminating in a very old hand forged metal blade, wrapped with native twining. Together with a flat bone handled example, with a native copper, hand forged blade that retains its sharp edge. 1
A Bentwood Eskimo serving bowl “Muk Muk”
A fine bentwood bowl. Written on bottom in old pencil and ink “Old Muk Muk”. Stable with an old crack in bottom, Late 19th century. length: 28 cm / 11 in
Baleen Vessel
An Eskimo vessel constructed of baleen wrapped upon a wood base. Baleen is the fibrous substance found in the mouths of plankton eating whales, and was used by eskimos as a malleable, almost plastic like substance in construction of baskets and other objects. 19th century. length: 13 cm / 5 ¼ in
Whale Oil Lamp
A whale oil lamp with characteristic form. Constructed of native clay and fiber. Blackened surfaces, missing tip, cracked and glued. Excavated piece. 19th century or much earlier. length: 12.5 cm / 5 in
Another fire starter, made of walrus ivory, with a hole for placement of stick. This would have also been used as a punch or stabbing instrument, see the point. Length: 17.5 cm / 7 in
A heavy, worn block fashioned from bone, likely whalebone with multiple holes. Used for lashing sinew to a sled, or possibly fire starting. Length: 12 cm/4 ¾ in
A large harpoon holder made of bone. Unusual in its size, weight and sculptural aspect. Length: 15.5 cm/ 6 1/4 in
SOLD
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