Bering Strait Inuit Eskimo Carved Walrus Ivory Amuletic Hunting Cord Attacher

A Bering Strait Inuit Eskimo Carved Walrus Ivory Amuletic Hunting Cord Attacher in the Form of a Seal’s Head
Old smooth creamy-brown patina 

19th Century

Size: 1.5cm high, 2cm wide, 3.5cm deep - ½ ins high, ¾ ins wide, 1¼ deep 




 
Bering Strait Inuit Eskimo Carved Walrus Ivory Amuletic Hunting Cord Attacher in the Form of a Seal’s Head
19th Century

Size: 1.5cm high, 2cm wide, 3.5cm deep - ½ ins high, ¾ ins wide, 1¼ deep
 
Harpoon lines are made by cutting a continuous spiral strip from the hide of the bearded seal whose skin is of the proper thickness. The width of the cut determines the strength of the thong, seal harpoon line generally has a tensile strength of several hundred pounds and a width of four millimetres in diameter. Attachers were most often used for ice hole, or floe edge hunting for seals which begins as soon as the ice is firm enough for travel. Attachers keep the line from slipping through the hand, and the animal effigy positioned close to the harpoon and its quarry placates and honours the spirit or ‘inua’ of the seal enabling it to be more easily caught by the hunter.

Bering Strait Inuit Eskimo Carved Walrus Ivory Amuletic Hunting Cord Attacher

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ENQUIRIES

+44 (0)7768 236921
+44 (0)7836 684133

enquiries@finch-and-co.co.uk