FOR SALE

Ivory and bone carvings of animals and Eskimo activities.  This category is close to our heart, you will see this page changing constantly, now that we have opened up this avenue to share.

This is Genuine Native Alaskan art work, well documented, so your collectible retains as much provenance as we can provide.  They are a result of strictly regulated legal hunting of these animals by subsistence Native Eskimo people who carve them for re-sale for their livelihood.

Items are hand made by Native Barrow Eskimo (Inuit/Inupiat) or Native St. Lawrence Island Eskimo (Siberian Yupik).

No shipping outside the U.S. of these items due to the Marine Mammal Act regulations.

Being a subsistence people, they hunt whales, walrus and seals to survive, and use as much of the animals as possible (eating, making something functional, or making art work to keep or sell).  No one must touch these bones except the Native Alaskans if/when they are ready to make use of them.  Also, any animal they hunt is highly respected even after death, from the way the meat is stored to what happens to the bones.  These whale bones are aged & appear ready to use for carving or structural supports:

This whale backbone will be aged for some time so the oil leaches out of it, and animals will continue to clean the meat from it, before it is ready to use:

    Homes are utilitarian on the outside (it's the inside that counts), and remember there's snow covering everything for 10 months of the year, and very harsh conditions).  You will also note what they are using for underpinning on this house - whale skulls and backbone vertebrae.

  These whale ribs are used as sentinels to guide the Native Alaskans back to the right part of the shore from their hunting trips.  As the island is flat with no trees, this is how they navigate.  Each bone is unique and recognizable to a particular part of the island.

From BARROW, ALASKA unless otherwise marked

AK-BALEEN-1

Exceptional detail, geometric design; By Perry Nasuk Matumeak; 10" wide x 4-3/4" tall

AK-BALEEN-2

Exceptional detail, geometric design; By Perry Nasuk Matumeak; 5" wide x 7" tall

AK-BALEEN-3

Exceptional detail, geometric design; By Perry Nasuk Matumeak; 8" wide x 5" tall

AK-BALEEN-4

Exceptional detail, geometric design; By Perry Nasuk Matumeak; 10-3/4" wide x 3-1/2" tall

AK-BALEEN-5

Exceptional detail, geometric design; By Perry Nasuk Matumeak; 11-1/4" wide x 3-3/4" tall

AK-BALEEN-6

"Eskimo Whaling" etching by Alec Okakok, Barrow AK; 13-1/2" long x 5-1/2" tall; Eskimo spring whaling scene when they still use the skin boat.  Midnight sun shows when we hunt the whale

$190

AK-BALEEN-7

Eskimo hunter with spear meets a huge polar bear, etching by Alec Okakok, Barrow AK; measures 10-1/2" wide x 4-1/2" tall

AK-BALEEN-8

Etching of 2 wolf cubs, 13-1/2" long x 3-1/2" widest, signed JH

$125

AK-BALEEN-9

Rare golden baleen, walrus etching, 5-1/2" long x 4-1/2" tall, signed JH

AK-BALEEN-10

Waving Eskimo outside igloo, food cache to the right; 20" long x 2" high, signed John Teedseak

AK-BEAR-1

Bear with fish, and bear, iceberg, on fossil bone

$345 sold

AK-BEAR-2

Bear is walrus ivory; iceberg & base are woolly  mammoth ivory; 2-3/8" long x 2-1/8" wide x 1-7/8" tall (bear is 1-3/8" tall), not signed

AK-BEAR-3

Bear is walrus ivory, base is whale fossil vertebrae disk; 3" long x 2-3/8" wide x 2" tall (bear is 2-3/4" long), artist Genelle Patkotak Okpeaha, not signed;

AK-BEAR-4

Bear in walrus ivory is 1-3/8" tall x 3/4" wide, artist Genelle Patkotak Okpeaha, signed G.O.; baleen eyes & nose

AK-BEAR-5

Bear is walrus ivory, 1-1/2" long x 1" tall x 5/8" wide on 24" goldtone necklace, by Genelle Patkotak Okpeaha, not signed;

AK-BEAR-6

Walrus ivory, 1-1/8" tall x 5/8" wide, by Genelle Patkotak Okpeaha, not signed; baleen eyes & nose

AK-BEAR-7

Fossil whale bone of bear on its side, signed by Julian Seppilu, is 9" long x 5-1/2" tall x 4-7/8" wide

$375

AK-BEAR-8

Fossil whale bone  of mother bear and 2 cubs on her back, signed by Uglowook, Gambell, it is 7" long x 4-5/8" tall x 5" wide

AK-BEAR-9

Fossil whale bone of standing bear (6-1/4" long x 3-1/4" tall x 3-1/4" wide), signed by Uglowook, Gambell  

AK-BEAR-10

Fossil whale bone of standing bear (6-7/8" long x 4-1/2" tall x 4" wide), by Uglowook, Gambell

$390

AK-BEAR-11

Walrus ivory walking bear with fish on slice of ivory (1-7/8" long x 1-1/4" tall x 1" across), by Leonard Savage, Holy Cross

AK-BEAR-12

Walrus ivory walking bear with fish on slice of ivory (1-7/8" long x 1-1/4" tall x 1-1/4" wide), by Leonard Savage, Holy Cross

AK-BEAR-13

Walrus ivory walking bear with fish on slice of ivory (1-15/16" long x 1-1/8" tall x 1-1/16" across), by Leonard Savage, Holy Cross Alaska, on the shores of the Yukon River, an Athabascan tribal artist

AK-BEAR-14

Walrus ivory walking bear with fish on slice of ivory (1-7/8" long x 1-1/8" tall x 1-1/16" across), by Leonard Savage, Holy Cross Alaska, on the shores of the Yukon River, an Athabascan tribal artist

AK-BEAR-15

Walrus ivory walking bear with fish on slice of ivory (2" long x 1-3/16" tall x 1-1/16" across), by Leonard Savage, Holy Cross Alaska, on the shores of the Yukon River, an Athabascan tribal artist

AK-BEAR-16

Walrus ivory walking bear with fish on slice of ivory (2" long x 1-3/16" tall x 1-1/16" across), by Leonard Savage, Holy Cross Alaska, on the shores of the Yukon River, an Athabascan tribal artist

AK-BEAR-17

Walrus ivory walking bear on slice of ivory (1-3/4" long x 1-1/16" tall x 1-3/16" across), by Leonard Savage, Holy Cross Alaska, on the shores of the Yukon River, an Athabascan tribal artist

AK-BEAR-18

Walrus ivory walking bear on slice of ivory (1-3/4" long x 1-1/8" tall x 1-1/8" across), by Leonard Savage, Holy Cross Alaska, on the shores of the Yukon River, an Athabascan tribal artist

AK-BIRD-1

AK-BIRD-2

Fossil walrus ivory tooth Eagle is 1-7/8" tall x 3/4" wide, signed J.S.B. (Jim Bell, an Alaskan artist); ivory with baleen eyes

AK-BIRD-3

Fossil walrus ivory tooth Eagle is 2" tall x 3/4" wide, not signed. (Jim Bell, an Alaskan artist); ivory with baleen eyes

AK-BIRD-4

Fossil walrus ivory tooth Eagle is 1-7/8" tall x 3/4" wide, signed J.S.B. (Jim Bell, an Alaskan artist); ivory with baleen eyes

AK-BIRD-5

Walrus Ivory Murre bird (1-1/4" long x 3/4" tall) on nest of ivory eggs on rookery (fossil partial walrus skull bone material), is 4" tall x 2-3/8" wide x 1-1/2" deep, by Elton Seipilu, Savoonga

AK-BIRD-6

Walrus Ivory Murre bird (1-3/4" long x 7/8" tall) on nest of ivory eggs on rookery (fossil walrus partial skull bone material), is 4-3/4" long x 6-3/4" tall x 5" deep, by Elton Seipilu, Savoonga

AK-BIRD-7

Walrus Ivory Murre bird (1-5/8" long x 7/8" tall), full item is 5-5/8" long x 4-5/8" wide x 4-3/8" tall on nest of ivory eggs on rookery (fossil partial walrus skull bone material), by Elton Seipilu, Savoonga

AK-BIRD-8

Walrus Ivory Murre bird (1-5/8" long x 1-3/8" tall) on nest of ivory eggs on rookery (fossil walrus partial skull bone material), is 4-1/2" long x 4-3/4" tall x 2-5/8" deep, by Elton Seipilu, Savoonga

AK-BIRD-9

Cormorant (2-7/8" tall x 1/2" thick) in walrus ivory on 3/4" fossil bone perch, signed by Byron Kaningook, Gambell

AK-BIRD-10

Cormorant (1-1/4" tall x 1/2" wide) in walrus ivory, signed by Gordon Ooseuaseuk, Gambell

AK-BIRD-11

Cormorant (3-5/8" tall x 5/8" wide) in fossil walrus ivory, baleen eyes, on fossil bone perch 1" tall, signed by Byron Kaningook,

AK-BIRD-12

Songbird in walrus ivory, baleen eyes & fossil ivory beak, 3-1/4" long x 7/8" tall x 1" wide, signed by Aaron Oseuk, Gambell

AK-BIRD-13

Puffin in Walrus ivory, baleen eyes, 1-1/8" long x 1-1/8" tall x 5/8" wide, signed by Robert Apatiki, Gambell

AK-BIRD-14

Two puffins (1-3/8" x 1/2" and 1" x 5/8") (walrus ivory, baleen eyes) on baleen base (2-3/8" wide x 2-1/8" long), signed by Herman Toolie, Savoonga

AK-BIRD-15

Tern in fossil whale bone with baleen eyes and 1-1/8" long beak, 3" long x 1" wide x 1-1/8" tall, signed by Douglas Henry, Gambell

AK-BIRD-16

Tern in fossil whale bone with baleen eyes and 1-1/8" long beak, 3-1/8" long x 1-1/8" wide x 1-1/8" tall, signed by Douglas Henry, Gambell

AK-BIRD-17

Raptor, wings out, in walrus ivory, baleen & fossil ivory eyes (5-1/8" wingspan x 1-7/8" long x 1/2" tall), on textured ivory base (2" long x 3/8" wide), signed by Charles Slwooko, Gambell

$165

AK-BIRD-19

Snowy owl in walrus ivory, baleen & fossil ivory eyes, 1-1/16" deep x 1-1/2" tall x 3/4" wide, signed by Kevin Oosevaseuk, Gambell

AK-BIRD-20

Snowy owl in walrus ivory, baleen & fossil ivory eyes, 1-1/4" wide x 1-7/8" tall x 7/8" deep, signed by Kevin Oosevaseuk, Gambell

AK-BIRD-22  WALL HANGING Fossil whale vertebrae carving of a puffin head, by Alaskan carver W. Andy; measures 10" out from wall x 7" wide.

AK-BIRD-23

Walrus ivory Murre bird on on nests of ivory eggs on rookery (fossil partial walrus skull bone material), by Elton Seipilu, Savoonga (but not signed); 5-1/2" tall x 4" wide x 5-1/2" deep; bird is 1-1/2" long

AK-BIRD-24

Walrus ivory Murre bird on nest of ivory eggs on rookery (fossil partial walrus skull bone material), by Elton Seipilu, Savoonga (Signed E. Seppilu); 6" tall x 4-1/2" wide x 5-1/2" deep; bird is 2-1/8" long

AK-BIRD-25  A PREMIER PIECE!!

Five Walrus ivory Murre birds on rookery of fossil walrus tail bone, on base of ooseva (fossil walrus vertebrae disk), by Jr. Slwooko, Gambell); not signed; measures overall 9" tall x 6" wide x 5" deep; base is 8" diameter x 1"

AK-BIRD-26  LARGE Horned Puffin (hand painted walrus ivory; superb feather texture); Signed by Quentin Oseuk; 4-1/4" tall x 1" wide x 1-1/2" deep

$375  SOLD

AK-BIRD-27

Horned Puffin (hand painted walrus ivory), Signed by Quentin Oseuk; 2-5/8" tall x 7/8" wide x 1-1/4" deep

AK-BIRD-28

Horned Puffin (hand painted walrus ivory), Signed by Quentin Oseuk; 2" tall x 3/4" wide x 1" deep

AK-BIRD-29

Horned Puffin (hand painted walrus ivory), Signed by Quentin Oseuk; 1-3/8" tall x 5/8" wide x 3/4" deep

AK-BIRD-30

HILARIOUS Tufted Puffin (hand painted walrus ivory; polar bear hair), Signed by Stanley Oozeva, Gambell; 1-1/8" tall x 5/8" wide x 3/4" deep

AK-BIRD-31

Tufted Puffin,  (hand painted walrus ivory; polar bear hair) Signed by Stanley Oozeva, Gambell; 1-3/8" tall x 5/8" wide x 5/8" deep

AK-BIRD-32

Tufted Puffin,  (hand painted walrus ivory; polar bear hair) Signed by Stanley Oozeva, Gambell; 1-1/8" tall x 1/2" wide x 5/8" deep

AK-BIRD-33

Tufted Puffin,  (hand painted walrus ivory; polar bear hair) Signed by Stanley Oozeva, Gambell; 1-1/4" tall x 1/2" wide x 3/4" deep

AK-BIRD-34

Tufted Puffin,  (hand painted walrus ivory; polar bear hair) Signed SLO (Stanley Oozeva); 1-5/8" tall x 3/4" wide x 7/8" deep

AK-BIRD-35

Horned Puffin,  (hand painted walrus ivory) signed by Kevin Oosevaseuk, Gambell; 1-7/8" tall x 3/4" wide x 1" deep

AK-BIRD-36

Tufted Puffin,  (hand painted walrus ivory; polar bear fur) signed by Stanley Oozeva; 2-1/4" tall x 1-1/8" wide x 2" deep (substantial ivory)

 

AK-BIRD-37

Horned puffin (hand painted walrus ivory), wings out, on "rookery" nest of fossil seal vertebrae; signed M O Oosevaseuk, Gambell (Melchor); bird 2-1/4" wingspan x 1-1/4" tall, vertebrae 2-1/2" wide x 1-7/8" deep x 1-1/2" tall; overall 2-1/2" tall

AK-CLAW-1

Seal claw with walrus ivory carved walrus has real walrus whisker tusks; full measurement  3-1/2" long x 1/2" wide; baleen eyes; by Davis Uglawook, Gambell 

AK-CLAW-2

Polar bear claw with baleen spacer and ivory end, exquisitely scrimshawed polar bear, BY Alvin Aningayou, Gambell; 3-1/4" long x 1" wide x 5/8" thick; claw with nail bed is 2" linear length

$575sold

AK-CLAW-3

Polar bear claw with baleen spacer and ivory end, scrimshaw polar bear, by Alvin Aningayou, Gambell; 3-3/4" long x 1-1/8" wide x 5/8" thick; claw with nail bed is 2" linear length

AK-CLAW-4

Polar bear claw with baleen spacer and ivory end, by Alvin Aningayou, Gambell; 3-1/4" long x 1" wide x 5/8" thick; claw with nail bed is 1-3/4" linear length

AK-CLAW-5

Polar bear claw with baleen spacer and polished fossil walrus ivory end, scrimshaw (gorgeous color); 4-1/8" long x 1" wide x 1/2" thick; claw with nail bed is 1-3/4" linear length; by Floyd Kingeekuk Jr., Savoonga

AK-CLAW-6

Polar bear claw with baleen spacer and fossil walrus ivory end (signed) , on 18" black cotton cord necklace, silver tone beads & lobster claw closure; 2-3/4" long x 1" wide x 5/8" thick; nail with nai lbed is 1-7/8" linear length; by Floyd Kingeekuk Jr., Savoonga

AK-CLAW-7

Polar bear claw with baleen spacer and fossil walrus ivory end (signed), on 18" black cotton cord necklace, silver tone beads & lobster claw closure; 2-5/8" long x 1" wide x 1/2" thick; claw with nail bed is 2" linear length; by Floyd Kingeekuk Jr., Savoonga

AK-CLAW-8

Polar bear claw, baleen spacer, fossil walrus ivory end, on 18" black cotton cord necklace, silver tone beads, lobster claw closure; 2-1/2" long x 1" wide x 3/8" thick; claw with nail bed is 1-3/4" linear length; by Floyd Kingeekuk Jr., Savoonga

AK-CLAW-9

Seal claw, baleen spacer, fossil walrus ivory POLAR BEAR HEAD, baleen nose - WONDERFUL; 4" long x 3/4" wide x 3/4" deep; claw with nail bed is 2-1/4" linear length; by Roger Oosevaseuk, Gambell

AK-CLAW-10

Seal claw, baleen spacer, ivory end; walrus ivory SEAL head at end of 3 link ivory chain (seams in 2 round links); 5-1/4" long x 5/8" wide & thick; claw with nail bed is 2-1/2" linear length, by Jenkins Noongwook, Savoonga 

AK-CLAW-11

Seal claw, baleen spacer, walrus ivory seal head pendant, on 18" black cotton cord necklace with silver tone beads, lobster claw closure; 3-1/2" long x 5/8" wide & thick; claw with nail bed is 2-3/4" linear length, by Jenkins Noongwook, Savoonga 

AK-CLAW-12

Seal claw, baleen spacer, ivory end with loop, ivory seal head on 2nd loop; 3-1/2" long x 5/8" wide & thick; claw with nail bed is 2-1/4" linear length, by Jenkins Noongwook, Savoonga 

AK-CLAW-13

Seal claw, baleen spacer, ivory end, 3 chain links (2 seams) and tab end with hole, extra link on side, all walrus ivory; 6-1/4" long x 5/8" wide & thick; claw with nail bed is 2-1/2" linear length, by Jenkins Noongwook, Savoonga 

AK-CLAW-14

Seal claw, baleen spacer, ivory end, 3 chain links (2 seams), pointed ivory end; 5" long x 5/8" wide x 1/2" deep; claw with nail bed is 2-3/8" linear length, by Jenkins Noongwook, Savoonga 

AK-CLAW-15

Seal claw, baleen spacer, ivory end, 3 chain links (2 seams), ivory tab with hole on end; extra link on side; 5-1/2" long x 5/8" wide & thick; claw with nail bed is 2-1/2" linear length; by Jenkins Noongwook, Savoonga 

AK-CLAW-16

Seal claw with beautifully turned fossil ivory end and key ring; 4-1/8" long x 5/8" wide & thick; claw itself is 1-7/8" linear length; by Jenkins Noongwook, Savoonga 

AK-DOLL-1

ESKIMO MAN CARVING WITH TOOLS

Walrus ivory face, silver fox fur ruff, seal intestine parka, seal skin bottom edge of parka, leather soles on seal skin mukluks; leather mittens, using a baleen tool to carve an ivory walrus in his hands; a finished carved walrus ivory mask edged in seal fur beside him, an adz of fossil dog tooth & baleen; hand drill of ivory and fossil ivory, file of baleen; displayed on a fossil whale vertebrae disk; base is 7-3/8" wide x 6-3/4" long; height including doll is 7" tall; by Kim Iyakitan of Gambell

$560

AK-DOLL-2

ESKIMO MAN STANDING WITH HARPOON

Walrus ivory face, baleen eyes, lynx fur ruff, seal intestine parka, seal skin bottom edge on parka, leggings and mukluks, leather lashings; shaved sealskin soles for mukluks; ivory hands; ivory removable knife in leather sheath on parka; seal skin pouch slung on back; gut cording on harpoon, fossil walrus ivory ends on harpoon, walrus ivory below tip, baleen shaft; displayed on fossil whale vertebrae disk 4-5/8" wide x 3-3/4" long; total height including doll is 10" high; by Beulah Oittillian of Gambell

AK-DOLL-3

ESKIMO WOMAN PREPARING FOOD

Walrus ivory face, baleen eyes, synthetic braids; sealskin parka with leather edging around hood; beaver fur bottom edge of parka; ivory hands holding fossil ivory fork; 3 types of leather on moccasins (shaved sealskin bottoms); 3 ivory dishes of foods made of fossil ivory; displayed on fossil whale vertebrae disk 6" wide x 7" long; total height with doll is 7-1/4" tall; by Beulah Oittilian of Gambell

AK-DOLL-4

ESKIMO DRUMMER

Walrus ivory face, baleen eyes, polar bear fur hair; leather headband with polar bear fur edging; seal intestine parka, seal skin leggings and mukluks with shaved sealskin soles & leather lashings; fossil ivory hands; drum is ivory with gut drumhead; baton is ivory; displayed on a fossil walrus vertebra 6-1/2" wide x 5" deep; total height including doll is 8-1/4"; by Stephanie Oittilian of Gambell

AK-DOLL-5

ESKIMO MAN CARVING IVORY

Face is walrus ivory, baleen eyes, sealskin hair, leather headband; seal intestine parka, sealskin bottom edging on parka, also leggings and mukluks; shaved sealskin soles & leather lashings; figure is presenting a plate (slice of ivory) with a polar bear partially carved, before him are a fish and seal also partially carved; displayed on a fossil whale vertebrae disk 6-3/8" wide x 6-3/8" long; total height including doll is 7-1/4" tall; by Beulah Oittillian of  Gambell

AK-DOLL-6

ESKIMO DRUMMER

Walrus ivory face, baleen eyes, black genuine but unknown fur hair; leather headband with polar bear fur edging; seal intestine parka, seal skin leggings and mukluks with shaved sealskin soles & leather lashings; ivory hands; drum is ivory with gut drumhead; baton is fossil ivory; displayed on a fossil walrus vertebra 6" wide x 5" long; total height including doll is 8" tall; by Beulah Oittilian of Gambell

AK-DOLL-7

ESKIMO GIRL in Traditional Clothing; stands on its own; sewn leather face on soft white synthetic head, wool yarn hair, bead hair decorations; seal intestine parka with wolverine fur edging on sleeves & bottom; brown leather undershirt, detailed leather & bead boots & shaved seal skin soles; body is soft black synthetic; doll stands 11-3/4" tall x 9" wide; by Martha Kaningok of Gambell

AK-DOLL-8

Eskimo hunter doll, signed M. Scott (Alaskan artist but not Native), on fossil whale bone base; Fossil stellar sea cow body, bone spear point, wood spear, Mink fur edgings, fossil bone face, black horse hair

AK-DOLL-9

Full Yupik Costume doll, signed by Carolyn Penayah, Savoonga; 12-1/2" tall x 5-1/2" wide x 3" deep, on wood doll stand; suede covered body; seal fur coat with wolverine fur edging; polar bear fur boots with wolverine fur edging, smooth leather soles; leather face; synthetic hair; leather cord beaded accents

AK-FIG-1

Eskimo Drummer in walrus ivory on baleen base is 2" tall x 2" wide x 3/4" deep; signed H.R.; baleen eyes;

AK-FIG-2

Bone Eskimo figure harpooning walrus (ivory harpoon, waxed cord) smooth one side, rougher & concave on the other, on mammoth ivory base; not signed; measures 6 x 2 x 4-1/2" tall; by Daniel Kiy

$210

AK-FIG-3

Woman and man faces carved on fossil whale bone - digging tool artifact; 16-1/2" long x 4" wide; by Leo Apangalook (Gambell, St. Lawrence Island) (QAY)

$425

AK-FIG-4

Man face carved on fossil whale bone - digging tool artifact; 19-1/2" long x 4" wide;  by Leo Apangalook (Gambell, St. Lawrence Island) (QAY)

AK-FIG-5

One Eskimo man face on fossil walrus tooth, drilled as amulet pendant; 2-1/4" long x 1" wide x 5/8" deep, signed "A" for Leo Apangalook, Gambell

AK-FIG-6

Double sided fossil walrus tooth amulet pendant (man and woman), 2" long x 5/8 x 5/8", by Billy Soonagrook Jr., Gambell

AK-FIG-7

Double sided fossil walrus tooth amulet pendant (man and woman), 2" long x 7/8 x 1/2", by Mark Napahatook, Gambell