Native American, Northwestern United States, Alaska, Beringian / Old Bering Sea Culture, ca. 200 BCE to 500 CE. This is an incredible piece of ancient walrus ivory, hand-carved into a zoomorphic effigy figure. The minimalist body is carved into an elongated shape with nubbin front feet that prop the animal's head up, and the head is comprised of a rounded snout and perked ears on the top, suggesting a bear rather than a seal, who would be more streamlined. Perhaps this ursine creature is unfinished, and the rear legs unformed. The ancient Alaskan cultures that lived along coastal areas relied upon the marine animals such as walrus for subsistence. Carvings were their main artistic output and carvings of stylized figures were popular, although their function - whether ceremonial or artistic - remains unclear. Size: 2.9" L x 0.6" W x 0.75" H (7.4 cm x 1.5 cm x 1.9 cm)

For a similar example see the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco website, accession number: 2007.21.96.

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 that the piece is over 100 years old.

Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, bestowed 2006; ex-J. Malter collection, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired before 2006

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.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#167832

Intact. Surface abrasions as expected with age. Dark and lustrous patina. Old inventory label on base.