Creation Date

1931 – 1955

Description

"Carved Ivory Bracelet. This expansion bracelet is carved out of three different grades of ivory: the squares in the bracelet are white ivory; half of the ovals connecting the squares to each other are carved out of partially fossilized ivory, light tan in color; and the other half of the ovals are carved out of very precious, dark brown, ancient fossilized ivory. Two holes are carved through the sides of each of the geometric shapes that make up the bracelet. These holes are used to run the elastic thread through the top and bottom of the bracelet, allowing it to expand. Before the introduction of elastic thread from the outside world, the Eskimos did not carve many bracelets, for they had difficulty solving the problem of how to get the bracelet over the wide part of the hand and still have it fit snugly over the smaller wrist. On the squares of this particular bracelet, small black figures are etched, telling the story of how the Eskimo seal hunt. Each etching recreates one phase of the entire hunt."

According to Ronald Senungetuk this is made from Mastadon and walrus ivory in Shishmaref style, perhaps by Andrew Tingook.

Ivory Carving has a long history in the Artic and Subarctic. All the utensils, tools, and weapons were made by hand from ivory and other natural materials such as horn, bone, and animal hides. These same materials were used to make decorative objects. Traditionally, these decorative objects were also miniatures so that they could be transported easily by these nomadic people.

The color of the ivory changes with age. Fossilized ivory may be several thousands of years old. Its color can range from golden to brown or even black. These rare color ivories are more precious to Eskimo carvers than new white ivory.