North American Auction Company
Live Auction

Fine Montana Collector Sale - April 2023

Sat, Apr 22, 2023 11:00AM EDT
Lot 238

C. 1900- Eskimo Inuit Walrus Tusk & Pearl Amulets

Estimate: $500 - $1,000

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$50,000 $2,500
The lot features a collection of 21 Eskimo Inuit Native American Indian amulets & tools carved from walrus tusk, bone, abalone and pearls, dating from the early to mid 1900’s. First shows a whale amulet, likely a blue whale or humpback whale, carved of bone with wonderful scrimshaw detail, measures 2 7/8”L 1”W. Next shows three mother of pearl beads with yellow coloring, these have a tooth like shape and are drilled down the center, each measure approximately 7/8” by ¾”. There are three antler tang beads with a drilled top, possibly a moose or caribou tang; largest measures 7/8”L by 5/8”W. The eight piece shows a round human face or mask amulet with deep scrimshaw carving made from walrus tusk or bone; measures 1 3/8” diameter. The ninth piece is a large Walrus Head effigy bead carved from walrus tusk or bone with scrimshaw six-point star and is drilled down the center for use as a bead; measures 1.5”L by ¾”W. Next there are two round abalone shell pieces, likely an amulet, money piece, or token / chip of sorts; measures ¾” diameter. There are five bone and walrus tusk amulet beads with totem like pattern ranging from traditional totem pole designs, human face designs and an otter animal effigy figure ranging in length from 2.5”L to 1 5/8”L. The seventeenth piece is a fish amulet or fancy net weight showing a fish body with carved features and drilled hole at the end done in bone; measures 3.25”L by ¾”W. Next are two rare sections of oyster pearls in mother of pearl shell, one showing four pearls and the other nine pearls all fused together, an unusual set; largest is 1” across. The twentieth piece is a bone or tusk awl tool with pierced top and pointed end, a tool used to puncture hide or leather, also could be used to weave nets; measures 4”L. The last and twenty-first piece is the walrus tusk turtle amulet with deep carved scrimshaw designs and measures 1.5” by 1 1/8”W. These are all displayed in a glass top black riker case that is 12.25” by 8.25” by 1” thick. This is truly a rare collection of Eskimo Inuit Native American carvings ranging in age from early historic to mid-century pieces, all highly collectible.