12th C. Pre-Contact Yupik Thule Caribou Bone Comb
Native American, Northwestern United States, Alaska, Yupik peoples, Thule period, ca. 1200 to 1700 CE. A hand-carved comb, made from caribou or whale bone, cut to resemble a bear paw. The rounded heel of the paw forms the handle and the toes are the 6 tines or comb teeth. Combs served several purposes, firstly for combing hair, but also picking out lice and possibly preparing hides. Effigy shaped combs also had ritualistic uses and meaning. Size: 4.25" L x 2.25" W (10.8 cm x 5.7 cm); 5.25" H (13.3 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#166455
Condition Report: Intact. Natural ossification and surface pitting to the bone. Hairline fissure along one edge and minor nicks to tines. Very good with dark brown patina!
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Native American, Northwestern United States, Alaska, Yupik peoples, Thule period, ca. 1200 to 1700 CE. A hand-carved comb, made from caribou or whale bone, cut to resemble a bear paw. The rounded heel of the paw forms the handle and the toes are the 6 tines or comb teeth. Combs served several purposes, firstly for combing hair, but also picking out lice and possibly preparing hides. Effigy shaped combs also had ritualistic uses and meaning. Size: 4.25" L x 2.25" W (10.8 cm x 5.7 cm); 5.25" H (13.3 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#166455
Condition Report: Intact. Natural ossification and surface pitting to the bone. Hairline fissure along one edge and minor nicks to tines. Very good with dark brown patina!
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
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