Inupiaq Whale Baleen Basket w/ Walrus Ivory Seal Atop
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Description
**First Time At Auction**
Native American, Northwestern United States, Alaska, Inupiaq / Inupiat, ca. mid to late 20th century CE. A whale baleen basket handwoven with a matching lid and decorated with walrus ivory discs and seal shaped handle. The ivory discs are not only ornamentation but also hold the starting strips in place while making the first stitches, a coiling method is used to sew the bands together. Baleen is the keratinous mouth plates inside certain species of whales, used to filter krill from the water, and it is a flexible material that has been traditionally used for all sorts of tools and vessels. As a weaving / basketry material, baleen is a relatively recent development; purportedly the first baleen woven basket was made sometime around 1914 and 1918, shortly after commercial whaling ended- basketry became a source of income for Native people and a new artform. Size: 5" Diameter x 2.5" H (12.7 cm x 6.4 cm)
Provenance: private Spearfish, South Dakota, 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.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#177213
Native American, Northwestern United States, Alaska, Inupiaq / Inupiat, ca. mid to late 20th century CE. A whale baleen basket handwoven with a matching lid and decorated with walrus ivory discs and seal shaped handle. The ivory discs are not only ornamentation but also hold the starting strips in place while making the first stitches, a coiling method is used to sew the bands together. Baleen is the keratinous mouth plates inside certain species of whales, used to filter krill from the water, and it is a flexible material that has been traditionally used for all sorts of tools and vessels. As a weaving / basketry material, baleen is a relatively recent development; purportedly the first baleen woven basket was made sometime around 1914 and 1918, shortly after commercial whaling ended- basketry became a source of income for Native people and a new artform. Size: 5" Diameter x 2.5" H (12.7 cm x 6.4 cm)
Provenance: private Spearfish, South Dakota, 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.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#177213
Condition
Intact and excellent, weaving is tight and intact. Black striations on ivory handle.
Buyer's Premium
- 26.5%
Inupiaq Whale Baleen Basket w/ Walrus Ivory Seal Atop
Estimate $600 - $900
16 bidders are watching this item.
Shipping & Pickup Options
Item located in Louisville, CO, usOffers In-House Shipping
Local Pickup Available
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