Alaskan Native Fishing Tools and Bird Bolos, PLUS

late 19th century

lot of 10, includes:

fishing weights, harpoon toggle, netting needles, bag handles

longest weight 4-1/2 inches; longest netting needle 8 inches

Provenance
From the collection of Father Edward F. Sippel of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, inherited from his mother, Della (Beau) Sippel, daughter of John Louis BeauBeau’s wife died in 1895 shortly after the birth of their son, Johnny. The children, Della and the infant Johnny, were subsequently raised by relatives in Calvary, Wisconsin. During this period, Beau spent approximately thirteen years in Nome, Alaska, where he operated the Beau Mercantile during the gold rush era.In 1933, Della reclaimed her father’s remaining personal effects from his bankrupt estate, preserving a small group of artifacts and photographs related to his ventures in Alaska.