Iñupiaq. <em>Walrus Tusk Ivory engraved with pictures of everyday activities</em>, 19th century. Walrus Tusk Ivory, 27 3/4 x 2 x 3 1/4 in. (70.5 x 5.1 x 8.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, A. Augustus Healy Fund, 44.34.3. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 44.34.3_view01_PS11.jpg)

Iñupiaq. Walrus Tusk Ivory engraved with pictures of everyday activities, 19th century. Walrus Tusk Ivory, 27 3/4 x 2 x 3 1/4 in. (70.5 x 5.1 x 8.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, A. Augustus Healy Fund, 44.34.3. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 44.34.3_view01_PS11.jpg)

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Walrus Tusk Ivory engraved with pictures of everyday activities

Arts of the Americas

These two engraved objects, a walrus tusk and a sperm whale tooth, encapsulate aspects of Indigenous Arctic life, particularly the use of natural materials and the importance of hunting. The tusk is decorated with depictions of men hunting walrus in boats, of village huts, and of women preparing food. The tooth presents a variety of hunting scenes in which men chase a walrus, harpoon a whale, spear a bear, and aim bows and arrows at a caribou. One especially intriguing scene shows three men dancing and holding circular drums.

CULTURE Iñupiaq

MEDIUM Walrus Tusk Ivory

Place Made: Point Barrow, Alaska, United States

DATES 19th century

DIMENSIONS 27 3/4 x 2 x 3 1/4 in. (70.5 x 5.1 x 8.3 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Arts of the Americas

ACCESSION NUMBER 44.34.3

CREDIT LINE A. Augustus Healy Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Long curved tusk engraved with scenes depicting men hunting walrus in boats, village huts, and food preparation. The object is sometimes referred to as scrimshaw, which is a non-Native term for this type of engraving on ivory. Condition: there is a small break.

EXHIBITIONS

Climate in Crisis: Environmental Change in the Indigenous Americas

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Iñupiaq. Walrus Tusk Ivory engraved with pictures of everyday activities, 19th century. Walrus Tusk Ivory, 27 3/4 x 2 x 3 1/4 in. (70.5 x 5.1 x 8.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, A. Augustus Healy Fund, 44.34.3. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 44.34.3_view01_PS11.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 44.34.3_view01_PS11.jpg., 2019

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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Walrus Tusk Ivory engraved with pictures of everyday activities

Arts of the Americas

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