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MILLON
268
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Five harpoon points and one double hook point
Walrus ivory w…
See original version (French)
268
-
Five harpoon points and one double hook point
Walrus ivory w…
See original version (French)
Estimate €250 - €350
Voluntary lot
Description
Five harpoon points and one double hook point
Walrus ivory with a patina of age
Inuit, Alaska, Ipiutak and Thule cultures, Far North region, c. 8th-14th century
From 6 to 11.5 cm
The Ipiutak and then Thule cultures occupied the Arctic regions of Alaska and the Bering Strait between the first centuries AD and the development of historic Inuit societies. These populations developed particularly sophisticated maritime hunting techniques, based on the use of harpoons to capture marine mammals. The carved walrus ivory points bear witness to this technical mastery, but also to a high level of formal refinement, visible in the hooking systems, double hooks and engraved decorations. The Thule cultures, which appeared in Alaska before spreading to the Canadian Arctic and Greenland around 1000 AD, are considered to be the direct ancestors of today's Inuit.
Walrus ivory (Odobenus rosmarus), a specimen listed in Appendix B of EC regulation 338/97 (CITES).
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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