Native American, Northwestern United States, Alaska, Inuit & Yupik, Pre-Contact Period, ca. 14th to 18th century CE. A large collection of 60 bone tools and instruments that are hand-carved by arctic cultures. The bones are collected from walrus, whale, and caribou - all animals these people hunted and relied upon for life. These tools served as drill bits, scrapers, knife blades, projectile points for spears and harpoons - all to aid in the hunting and preparing of animals. They show great signs of age, and a few display drilled holes for suspension or for hafting onto handles. In a land covered with snow and ice most of the year, animals rich in blubber were essential for survival and all parts were used - as demonstrated by these bone artefacts. All are mounted in a wooden frame and are ready to be displayed. Size largest piece: 7" L x 1.5" W (17.8 cm x 3.8 cm); frame: 20" L x 20" W (50.8 cm x 50.8 cm)

Provenance: ex-Anchorage, Alaska, USA collection

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#166930

Chips and losses as shown, and most are fragmentary pieces. Stable fissures and pitting to all. Active flaking and chipping to several. Most are smooth from age and use with a nice patina. All are mounted on cloth backing and displayed in custom wooden frame with a wire on verso for suspension.