Native American, Northwestern United States, Alaska, Arctic, Inuit or Aleut people, Pre-Contact period, ca. 1000 CE. This is a tool, likely an awl, made from marine mammal ivory - probably whale tooth or walrus tusk. The elongated form tapers to a pointed tip, forming a tail, and the opposite rounded end forms a snout. Hand-drilled eyes give this awl a zoomorphic face, perhaps to represent a seal or walrus. Along the sides are laterally pieced suspension holes. The entire surface is a gorgeous umber and caramel brown patina from the age of this tool. Awls were used for punching holes through hides for sewing with thick sinew cords. Size: 3.25" L x 1" W (8.3 cm x 2.5 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 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.

#167842

Chip to tip of tail and nose. Natural ossification and pitted areas. Wonderful patina and smooth surface.