Native American, Northern United States and Canada, Inuit, ca. mid to late 19th century CE. A fine fishing implement carved from the bone of a whale or ungulate in a slender petaloid form to resemble a fish. This lure has two cavities drilled into the head and inlaid with white bone and black stones as eyes, and perhaps to add some weight the lure. The bone is pierced through the head and tail tip to attach to a hook and a line. The eyes and drilled piercing hole on the "chin / mouth" area give an endearing expression to this zoomorphic lure. While some baits mimic insects or small fish to attract prey - we think this cute lure has a face that is too charming to resist! Size: 3.35" L x 1" W (8.5 cm x 2.5 cm)

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

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#167835

Surface abrasions and natural bone ossification. Stable pressure fissures along body and chips to inlaid eyes. Dark and smooth patina.