Native American, Northwestern United States, Alaska, Inuit, ca. 18th to 19th century CE. An ivory labret carved from a fossilized walrus tusk. The labret has a thick cylindrical body, surmounted with a slightly flared face. The wearer would insert the plug into their lip as a facial accessory and the flared end held the labret in place. Wearing a labret could indicate rank and tribal affiliation as well as simply be a personal adornment. Piercing below the lower lip happened in childhood, and then the piercing was stretched periodically to fit larger labrets. Size: 1.25" L x 0.65" W (3.2 cm x 1.7 cm)

This is an ESA antique exempt piece of fossilized walrus ivory and cannot be sold internationally to several countries or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Oregon, and Washington DC. Please check your country’s laws before bidding on this piece.

Provenance: Private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Artemis Gallery; ex-private Littleton, Colorado, USA collection, purchased from Gladys' Gifts, Barrow, Alaska, USA, ca. 1959 to 1962

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#173669

Natural fissures and surface striations from fossilization process. Pinhole cavity on flared face and minor chips to peripheries. Smooth with lovely caramel hues.