18th C. Alaskan Inuit Walrus Bone & Stone Adze

Native American, Northwestern United States, Alaska, Inuit, ca. 18th to 19th century CE. A rare find, a beautifully preserved adze with a walrus or caribou bone handle, a slotted bone head for hafting, and a knapped and smoothed stone blade. Holes drilled in the top of the bone handle are threaded with modern seal hide cords, then wrapped tightly around the head and haft to secure the cutting blade. Pre-contact with Europeans, adzes were traditionally made with stone or bone blades and served a variety of purposes such as chopping ice, digging, and shaping boats. Size: 11" L x 5.5" W (27.9 cm x 14 cm); 12.25" H (31.1 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection; ex-private Oregon, USA collection

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#148604
Condition Report: Adze handle is reattached to the upper hafting bone slot with new seal hide cords. Hafting bone and handle are reattached with Stone blade is loose and was reattached to bone hafting slot with adhesive previously. Stable pressure fissures and break lines on bone hafting head. Chips and abrasions to the handle and head. Chips to the stone blade. Smooth and dark patina throughout.