NAVIGATION

Twelve Eskimo Amuletic Hunting Toggles / Pendants
Creamy smooth patina
Walrus ivory
Inuit / Bering Sea
18th Century or earlier

SIZE: max: 6cm long - 2¼ ins long / min: 2cm long - ¾ ins long

Ivory amulets were made by shamans and individual hunters for supernatural aid and protection. They were passed down through families as treasured heirlooms and were used to influence a tutelary or helping spirit. These small sculptures were so important to the beliefs of the community that nothing could be accomplished without their help.

Ex Summerfield collection (Mr Summerfield was a book dealer / collector in Cheltenham, England. When he passed away the shop and home above, housing the contents of the collection were so numerous, an enormous quantity of boxes, items stacked one upon another, the sorting and dispersal took many weeks, with auctions divided between Christies (at the local race course) and Bruton Knowles Auction Rooms, auctions took place over a number of weeks. Rumour circulated that the front door had to be physically removed due to so many items falling down behind the door impeding entry !
Sold Bruton Knowles Auction Rooms, circa autumn 1989
Ex Private collection