An Arctic Bering Strait Walrus Ivory Handle in the Form of a Seal with Blue Glass ‘Trade’ Bead Inset Eyes

Epoque: 1800-1900

Medium: Marine Ivory ( walrus ), Walrus

Dimension: 2.5 x 8 x 2 cm (1⁰/₁ x 3¹/₈ x 0³/₄ inches)

Literature: The Eskimo and their predecessors on the Bering Strait were most probably the first people in the world to carve walrus ivory. In the Arctic, driftwood was a rare commodity with walrus ivory much more readily available to use to carve objects and hunting implements. Of all the animals that exist in the Arctic none has been more important to human survival than the walrus. Every part of its body was used to manufacture a wide variety of essentials for everyday Eskimo existence. It provided food, the blubber was used for cooking oil, heating and lighting. The skin was used for clothing, making kayaks and the roofs of houses. The sinew and guts provided cords and lines and the bone and ivory were fashioned into tools and art objects.