Alaskan Carvings
Off the northwest coast of ALASKA, 32 miles from Siberia, lies St. Lawrence Island, where 1,000 Siberian Yupik Eskimos live in two villages. During a few short weeks in the spring and fall, they are legally allowed to hunt walrus and whales for subsistence. During the winter the people spend most of their time indoors, carving ivory and whalebone to generate income. These people live much the same life as their ancestors, and their art has played an important part in allowing them to maintain their culture and lifestyle.
For more information about St. Lawrence Island and how the ivory is gathered, click here . |  | |
Figurative pendant carved from Walrus ivory with an inset abalone eye. This NW coast amulet would make a beautiful tribal necklace or a fetish for your collection. Measures 2 1/16 th inches long, by 1/2 inch wide.
Call it a knife or a scraper this hand made utilitarian, blade was probably used to process walrus or whale. It measures 12 inches long and comes in a leather sheath.
North West coast figure dressed in a coat trimmed in seal skin. A small sculptural person standing 2 1/4 inches tall.
North West Coast Alaskan Amulet Pendant- This was carved to be worn as a pendant, but can be used as a fetish as well. The figure appears to resemble a frog figure from the totem poles. Walrus tusk is the body of the pendant and has abalone inlaid eyes.
Taking flight is a carved sea hawk, detailed carving shows in it's wings and tail feathers. The carvers of the St. Lawerence Island choose to depict the animals of land, sea, and air. They provide food, clothing and inspiration for the arts. This hawk measures 3 inches wide by 2 inches long and 1 inch tall.
This great carving is very detailed and depicts three walruses lazing around. This wonderful carving measues 8-1/2" long. Look at the carving details on the close-up photo - this is a wonderful piece of art.
You can see the natural age cracks on this Walrus tusk. Hand-carved ivory Walrus by Byron Kaningok. This image is 2 inches tall and 3 inches long.
The regal Canada goose. The detailing on this goose is hard to believe for it's size. Measuring 1 and 3/4 inches tall, on an antler base that is 1 and 3/4 inches long. You can see the wing pattern and feathers on the body, that is carved of fossil ivory. The head, neck, tail and feet are carved of whale baleen.
