Alaskan Yup’ik Eskimo Carved Walrus Ivory Amuletic Figure of a Young Caribou
An Alaskan Yup’ik Eskimo Carved Walrus Ivory Amuletic Figure of a Young Caribou
A blue glass trade bead fastened to its mouth
19th Century
SIZE: 10cm long – 4 ins long
A blue glass trade bead fastened to its mouth
19th Century
SIZE: 10cm long – 4 ins long
During the Autumn and Winter months hunters trap the larger land animals including caribou, moose and bear. The caribou provide many materials critical to the maintenance of Bering Sea culture. Besides meat for food, their fur, hide, sinew and antlers are all used. However, these amulets are thought to portray young or foetal caribou with their immature features, crouching position and thin legs with detailed hooves. Foetal caribou are frequently taken during the spring hunt before their mothers give birth, and their soft hide is prized for clothing. The function of this caribou amulet is not to magically promote a successful hunt but rather to insure the continued abundance of the species.
Alaskan Yup’ik Eskimo Carved Walrus Ivory Amuletic Figure of a Young Caribou
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