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LOT 0130A

20th C. Alaskan Inuit C. Slwooko Whalebone Carving

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Charles Slwooko (Inuit, 1900-1975) St. Lawrence Island, North Bering Sea, ca. mid 20th century CE. Carved from fossilized whalebone, a striking sculpture depicting two nearly identical abstract faces - perhaps shamanic visages or deities - emerging from wavy waters topped by two sperm whales dramatically jumping out of the waters. The piece is carved with the initials "C.S." for Alaskan carver Charles Slwooko on the lower back of the piece. Learn more about Slwooko in the extended description below. Size: 12.625" W x 9" H (32.1 cm x 22.9 cm)

Master carver Charles Slwooko developed his craft over the course of many decades, making impressive sculptures like this example. His work has been featured in the Anchorage Museum of History and Art as well as the Wells Fargo Collection, and it has also been published in Bruce Bartholomew's book entitled "Eskimo Carvers of the Bering Sea" (2015). Carving is a rich, longstanding tradition for the indigenous peoples of St. Lawrence Island, a remote area with harsh conditions, and examples like this one help to preserve their culture.

Provenance: ex-Ritterbush Collection, Ventura County, California, acquired in the late 20th century

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.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#135960
Condition Report: Expected age wear, with minor loss to protruding cylindrical form on verso and a few pressure fissures, but otherwise intact.

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Time, Location
05 Dec 2019
USA, Louisville, KY
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[ translate ]

Charles Slwooko (Inuit, 1900-1975) St. Lawrence Island, North Bering Sea, ca. mid 20th century CE. Carved from fossilized whalebone, a striking sculpture depicting two nearly identical abstract faces - perhaps shamanic visages or deities - emerging from wavy waters topped by two sperm whales dramatically jumping out of the waters. The piece is carved with the initials "C.S." for Alaskan carver Charles Slwooko on the lower back of the piece. Learn more about Slwooko in the extended description below. Size: 12.625" W x 9" H (32.1 cm x 22.9 cm)

Master carver Charles Slwooko developed his craft over the course of many decades, making impressive sculptures like this example. His work has been featured in the Anchorage Museum of History and Art as well as the Wells Fargo Collection, and it has also been published in Bruce Bartholomew's book entitled "Eskimo Carvers of the Bering Sea" (2015). Carving is a rich, longstanding tradition for the indigenous peoples of St. Lawrence Island, a remote area with harsh conditions, and examples like this one help to preserve their culture.

Provenance: ex-Ritterbush Collection, Ventura County, California, acquired in the late 20th century

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.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#135960
Condition Report: Expected age wear, with minor loss to protruding cylindrical form on verso and a few pressure fissures, but otherwise intact.

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Estimate
Unlock
Time, Location
05 Dec 2019
USA, Louisville, KY
Auction House
Unlock