$395.00
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Mid 20th Century
7" H x 6.25" W
Hand Carved from Whale Bone with Ivory Inset for Eyes and Labrets with a Seal Hide Hanging Loop These are Whale Bone Masks Made by Alaska Native Inuit Artists from Shishmaref, Ak.
In Excellent Condition
Eskimo Whale Bone Mask with Ivory Insets are traditional masks crafted by Inuit artists from Alaska, particularly from communities like Shishmaref or other Inupiat/Yupik regions.
These are hand-carved wall-hanging or decorative masks made primarily from Whale bone (often porous whale vertebrae or similar skeletal material, giving them a distinctive textured, honeycomb-like appearance). They frequently feature ivory insets—typically walrus ivory—for elements like eyes, labrets (lip plugs symbolizing maturity or status in Inupiat culture), facial details, tattoos, or accents. Additional materials may include baleen (from whale mouths) for eyes or inlays, and sometimes fur or seal hide loops for hanging.
Condition:
Very Good
Tribe:
Eskimo - Inuit - Yup'ik
Year Range:
1950 - 1975
Region:
Pacific Northwest - and Alaska
Dimensions:
7 in6.25 in
Category:
Masks and Headdresses
