13th C. Alaskan Inuit Walrus Ivory Sled Runner

Native American, Northwestern United States, Alaska, Inuit, Aleutian, or Punuk peoples, Pre-Contact Period, ca. 1200 to 1800 CE. A lengthy piece of walrus ivory that is carved and pierced to use as a sled runner. The section is shaped from the once rounded tusk into a faceted panel that would attach to the base of sled blades to decrease the friction between sled blade and snow - known as "qamutiik" (also qamutik, qamutiq, qamutiiq). The upper face is slightly grooved with 4 pierced holes along the length for securing with sinew cords. Runners allowed sleds to effortlessly glide across the snow and ice with the use of sled dogs. In certain surface conditions the ivory runners sometimes needed an extra coating of mud and water that would freeze into a slick ice, giving even better gliding power to the sled. This ivory runner shows extreme age, and yet is beautifully preserved with a dark brown patina. Size: 15" L x 1.5" W (38.1 cm x 3.8 cm)

This is an ESA antique exempt piece of ivory and cannot be sold internationally or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. We guarantee that the piece is over 100 years old.

Provenance: ex-Duane's Antiques, Anchorage, Alaska, USA

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.

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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.

#166713
Condition Report: Chips and splintering to peripheries and tips. Surface ossification and abrasions from age and use. Great signs of age and heavy brown patina.