Lot 99A
North America, Native American, Arctic and sub-arctic region, Inuit peoples, stone points from ca. 5000 BCE to 1600 CE; ivory from ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A fascinating collection from one of the most remote and unique world cultures, containing four chert stone points, two bear claws, and eighteen small walrus ivory and bone carvings. Size of box: 8.25" W x 12.25" H (21 cm x 31.1 cm)
The four chert points are of different styles - one appears to be a drill, the other three points, one with a concave base, the other two stemmed. Two are made of a slate-grey chert and the others are of a more brown/red chert; none appear to be from the same source. Chert was a highly desirable source for stole tools, easily knapped into sharp points and predictable in how it would fracture during the knapping process. Sources of chert were rare and valued, and the stones to make these tools may have traveled hundreds of miles. The carvings are largely zoomorphic, with several representing birds - either their full bodies or their faces, including an excellent owl face. There is also a turtle, a fish, a musk ox, four human faces, and a variety of square forms, all pierced for suspension. One of the face pendants is a dramatic mask with one side of the face with a wide open eye and upturned mouth, and the other side a closed eye and downturned mouth. Many of these capture both naturalistic and abstract features to convey their meaning; the variety of bird heads, in particular, show a keen appreciation for observing animals commonly seen in the Arctic.
Walrus Ivory. Bidders should be aware of the changing laws regarding commercialization of ivory and other product containing endangered species both on the Federal and State levels. This lot will be accompanied by a signed affidavit from the client that this object was in the United States prior to January 18, 1990, and is to the best of their knowledge and ability made prior to February 26, 1976 in accordance with Federal law. Ivory cannot be shipped out of the United States.
Provenance: Ex-Private Orange, County CA collection acquired between 1990 and 1995
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#119971
- Condition: Chert objects are intact. All bone and ivory items have some smoothing and patina from touch.
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