The lot features a fantastic Seal Hunter carving by Eskimo Cevak, Alaska artist, Franklin Matchian. The piece comes with a small paper denoting that it was purchased in September 2003 and is by artist Franklin Matchian, titled “Seal Hunter Carving” and purchased for $1,200.00. Franklin Matchian was born 1966 in Cevak, Alaska and later moved to Anchorage, Alaska. He is of Native American decent, with some of his pieces being marked as Eskimo. He operates Cikumi - "On the Ice" Eskimo Arts by Franklin Matchian a gallery. The piece features a solid Walrus Tusk solid large carved face with dimensional features and Baleen Eyes with the body of the Eskimo Hunter being carved from fossilized Whalebone and covered in a Seal gut parka that is sinew sewn. Atop of the hunter’s head is a traditional Eskimo Driftwood Hunting Hat / Mask with Walrus whiskers, Walrus Tusk eye adornments having Baleen Eyes, Whale sinew ties string and six Walrus whiskers along the top; Walrus whiskers denote how many walruses the hunter has taken. The Kayak is carved from a solid piece of fossilized whalebone with a fossilized whalebone storage piece carved on the back and a carved freshly killed seal figure carved from walrus bone. The hunter is holding a harpoon which is tied with whale sinew to another tool, both of which have baleen shafts and Walrus Tusk tool ends. The large sculpture is sitting atop a Whale vertebra which is cut flat on the bottom. The piece is truly incredible showing a large size with immense detail by a noted Eskimo artist who used only the finest materials. The piece of paper with noted information is rolled up and stored in one of the bone crevasses at the bottom. Measures overall when on the stand. 29 5/8”L by 13.5”H by approx.. 9.5”W. Total weight of 6lbs. 10oz.