Lot 200
200
A FINE OLD BERING SEA ESKIMO WALRUS IVORY SOCKET PIECE

Details
A FINE OLD BERING SEA ESKIMO WALRUS IVORY SOCKET PIECE
ST. LAWRENCE ISLAND, GAMBELL, CIRCA 300-500 A.D.
Of tapering cylindrical form, drilled at one end, flanged at the other, the entire surface engraved with curving and converging lines and raised bosses with nucleated circles in the form of two stylized devouring heads
5in. (12.8cm.) long
Provenance
On long term loan to the Detroit Institute of Arts from 1984 to 1995

Lot Essay

A fine example of Old Bering Sea III carving which with its devouring imagery reflects its use as a hunting implement. For somewhat similar examples, see Wardwell, 1986, p. 76 no. 83; Brussels, 1992, fig. 9.