A SUPERB OLD BERING SEA ESKIMO WALRUS IVORY NEEDLE CASE

Details

A SUPERB OLD BERING SEA ESKIMO WALRUS IVORY NEEDLE CASE
FROM SAINT LAWRENCE ISLAND, circa 300-500 A.D.

Of tapering form longitudinally drilled, of round section at bottom, oval at top, finely engraved overall with geometric and curvilinear motifs and delicate stippled lines, the front of an unusually assymetric design perhaps representing the head of a sea creature, the back of symmetrical zoomorphic design with rectangular slit cut at center, the edges slightly scalloped, rich honey color.
3 7/8in. long (9.9cm.)

Lot Essay

The beautifully conceived designs and sculptural quality of this needle case indicate that it is from the Old Bering Sea III period which marked the greatest development of this art expression. The designs are unique as is the rectangular opening at the back. This hole may have been cut so that the woman owner ould see the sizes and shapes of the needles which were affixed to the hide thong that originally passed through the case, thereby serving to keep them from becoming lost.