{"product_id":"inuit-old-walrus-ivory-figure","title":"Inuit Old Walrus Ivory Figure","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c!--StartFragment --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"pf0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eca. 1940\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"pf0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003e.75\" H x 2\" L x .375\" W\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"pf0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eHand Carved Polar Bear from Walrus Ivory \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"pf0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eEx. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eShifton\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003e Estate - Alaska - Collected in the 1940s \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"pf0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eExcellent Condition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"pf0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eInuit carvings, often referred to as Eskimo art in older contexts, represent a rich tradition of sculpture deeply rooted in the Arctic environment and cultural practices. \"Old\" typically denotes pre-1970s works, especially those from the late 19th to mid-20th century, when commercial carving emerged as a trade with European and American whalers. These pieces were initially utilitarian\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf1\"\u003e—tools, amulets, and hunting aids—but evolved into expressive figures depicting daily life, animals, and spiritual elements. Walrus ivory, prized for its creamy texture and durability, was a primary material, sourced from tusks harvested through subsistence hunting. Under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972), only pre-Act ivory (acquired before 1972) or authentic Alaskan Native handicrafts can be legally traded, often requiring export permits.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!--EndFragment --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Antique American Indian Art","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46049649655973,"sku":"191002-04","price":130.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/6071\/5685\/files\/191002-04_3.jpg?v=1762544096","url":"https:\/\/antiqueamericanindianart.com\/products\/inuit-old-walrus-ivory-figure","provider":"Antique American Indian Art","version":"1.0","type":"link"}