Idol ·  Alaska, Old Beringsea Culture · ID: 3035511

Description

walrus ivory, stilized armless human torso in miniature form, slightly dam. (chin, back), socle;
such figures are generally interpreted as idols and are connected with whale hunting. Up to nowadays the crew members of whale boats take small wooden figures aboard; they played an important role in ceremonies for a good whale hunt and were destroyed afterwards.

The object Idol with the object ID 3035511 was part of the auction 74th tribal art auction on September 7, 2013. The object with the lot number 41 achieved a sales price of EUR 550 with an asking price of EUR 400.

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Comparing literature

Fitzhugh, William W., Gifts from the ancestors, London 2009, p. 238, ill. 14. Bandi, Hans-Georg, Die Kunst der Eskimo auf der St.-Lorenz-Insel in Alaska, Bern, Stuttgart 1977, p. 54 f.