Inupiaq Eskimo Baleen and Ivory Whale Tail Basket Attributed John Long

ca. 1960-1980s 

4.5" H including whale tail x 3.25" D

Hand Coiled with Lid Barrow Style Baleen Basket Possibly attributed to John Long who is well know for the ivory Whale Tail finial. 

In Very Good Condition

Traditional Inupiaq (Iñupiaq) baleen basket from northern Alaska, specifically in the Barrow style. These are highly collectible Alaskan Native art pieces made primarily by Inupiaq artisans from communities like Utqiagvik (Barrow), Point Hope, and nearby areas. Baleen baskets are woven from baleen—the flexible, keratin-based plates from the mouths of bowhead whales . The material is stripped, soaked, and coiled or twined into baskets, often starting with an ivory (walrus tusk) disc at the base and finishing with a carved ivory lid topped by a finial (handle/knob). Whale tail (fluke) designs are a classic finial motif, symbolizing the bowhead whale that's vital to the culture.

Barrow style is finely woven, coiled baskets from the Utqiagvik area, often with tight stitching, sometimes accented with lighter baleen or other details.

These baskets originated around 1914–1920s, evolving from willow-root prototypes into a tourist/souvenir art form that supports artisans while preserving heritage.

They are labor-intensive: preparation alone takes hours, and weaving requires precision for even coils and angles. Only a limited number of weavers produce them today due to the skill and restricted baleen access.