Native American / First Nations, Northwest Coast United States, Alaska or Canada, Inuit, ca. mid to late 20th century CE. A large whalebone sculpture of a man in a hooded parka and polar bear. Polar bears were a vital part of Indigenous Artic people's animistic religion and survival, often represented in sculptural works as both prey, adversary, and spiritual beings known as Nanuq (Nanook). Bear spirits were considered almost human, and by honoring them with offerings and ritual, it made them more willing to approach and give their life to the hunter. Whale bone sculpture requires the use of older bone that has dried and ossified - new bone will splinter and be too oily to carve- hence the wonderfully aged and weathered appearance of these works. Size: 9" L x 8.5" W x 12.8" H (22.9 cm x 21.6 cm x 32.5 cm)

Please note this item falls under the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act and is not eligible for international shipping. Native American, Alaska Native, & Native Hawaiian objects are only eligible to ship within the United States.

Provenance: private Greenwood Village, Colorado, 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.

#178819

Some chips and abrasions throughout, and active flaking when handled. Natural bone ossification and pitting. Unsigned, and foam pads added to base for stability.