**Originally Listed At $250**

Native American, Northwestern United States, Alaska, Diomede Island, Inuit, ca. early 20th century CE. A collection of 2 animal figurines and a pair of salt and pepper shakers all hand-carved from walrus ivory. The zoomorphic figures depict arctic mammals, a walrus and polar bears. The bears are "happy bears," fused together as one mounts the other to mate. The walrus is charming, and rests on a flat base that supports his rotund body. The bears and walrus have simple facial details painted with black pigment. The salt and pepper shakers are a matching set, both of a simple rectangular shape, with piercings on the top and a hole on the base plugged by a cork. The surfaces of all are highly polished and a creamy white with some beige and brown inclusions. These pieces were created by an Inuit artist associated with ANAC, the Alaska Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative. Size walrus: 2.5" L x 1.6" W (6.4 cm x 4.1 cm); shaker: 2.125" L x 1" W (5.4 cm x 2.5 cm)

Lucite stands for photography purposes only.

This is a pre-Act piece of walrus ivory under the MMPA and cannot be sold internationally or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. We guarantee that the piece was made prior to 1972.

Provenance: private Littleton, Colorado, USA collection, purchased from Gladys' Gifts, Barrow, Alaska, USA in 1960 and 1962

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#165935

Bear and walrus are intact and very good. Minor surface wear and scratches to all. Natural striations on shakers, and both are intact. The cork is firmly in the plug holes and cannot be removed without tearing the cork. Cork could be taken out and replaced with new plugs.