Native American, Northwestern United States, Alaska, or Canada, Inuit / Aleut people, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A pair of walrus ivory and iron harpoon heads attached to antique leather cords. The iron blades indicate these are post-European contact, and the wide end of the ivory head has a drilled hole for mounting on a pole / handle. These ivory heads were designed to completely detach from the handle when it pierced flesh, the holes that the leather cords are strung through would be attached to ropes - saving the handle from breaking during the struggle and making it easier for the hunter to tow the prey to shore or into the boat without capsizing. Size of largest ivory head: 4.5" L x 0.75" W (11.4 cm x 1.9 cm); long leather cord: 13" L (33 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.

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.

Provenance: private Litchfield, Ohio, USA collection

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#186815

The leather cords are stiff and not very flexible. Patina and dark toning to the iron blades and ivory. Intact and great antique condition.