Native American, Northwestern United States, Alaska, Beringian / Old Bering Sea Culture, ca. 200 BCE to 500 CE. A fine pair of zoomorphic effigy figures resembling a fish and a bird, both skillfully hand-carved from ancient walrus ivory enveloped in rich chocolate brown-hued patina. Both presenting minimalist forms, the larger likely represents a bird, displaying an elongated body with a vertical raised ridge where the tucked wings would meet and a projecting head with a tapered beak. Alternatively, the more petite carving exhibits the shape of a fish with a teardrop-form body and a bifurcated tail. A vertical drill hole perforates the area between the body and tail, allowing the pieces to be strung on a strand and worn as a bead or pendant. Size of largest: 2.3" L x 0.5" W (5.8 cm x 1.3 cm)

For thousands of years and across the thousands of miles that encompass the Arctic world, people have carved miniatures from bone, antler, and ivory. Many seem to have been used as toggles, amulets, or charms, while, in the past, many also seem to have had shamanic power. In indigenous Arctic cosmology, all living beings have a "tarniq" or a "tarninga" which means a shade or image that is, literally, a tiny human or tiny animal with the same appearance. This is comparable to the Western idea of a soul. If the living being was somehow separated from his or her tarniq, they would fall ill, and, without shamanic intervention, ultimately die. This concept of a miniature representing a soul seems intimately linked with the practice of creating miniatures.

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 Covington, Louisiana, USA collection

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.

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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.

#169891

Bird has losses to proper left back side and posterior or tail. Both have expected nicks and abrasions. Chipping to fish's tail. Otherwise, both are very nice with rich patina.