Bering Strait Inupiak Eskimo Carved Walrus Ivory Amuletic Pendant of Human Form
A Bering Strait Inupiak Eskimo Carved Walrus Ivory Amuletic Pendant of Human Form
The hole for a cord attachment
18th Century – Early 19th Century
SIZE: 5cm high – 2 ins high
The hole for a cord attachment
18th Century – Early 19th Century
SIZE: 5cm high – 2 ins high
Amulets of human form were hung in the back between the shoulder blades, at the neck, or sewn into the clothing or to an amulet strap worn against the body. An Eskimo woman sketched by Beechey in 1827 wears an amulet such as this around her neck. It was believed that amulets of human shape with a hole in the neck had to be nourished and so were fed once a day. The amulet was worn as a protection against evil spirits and to bring good luck. Each amulet had a specific purpose and so a person was likely to wear several of them.
Bering Strait Inupiak Eskimo Carved Walrus Ivory Amuletic Pendant of Human Form
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