Native American, Northwestern United States, Alaska, Inuit, Yupik, Inupiat (Inupiaq), ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A charming hand carved smoking pipe made from walrus ivory in the form of a seal. The body and receptacle bowl are rendered from a single piece of ivory, the flippers incised along the sides, and the tapered posterior limbs creating the inhalation mouthpiece. The head is incised with wide eyes and nostrils with a diamond shaped motifs surround the base of the receptacle bowl. Size: 3.8" L x 0.75" W x 1.5" H (9.7 cm x 1.9 cm x 3.8 cm)
This is an ESA antique exempt piece of ivory and cannot be sold internationally or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. We guarantee that the piece was made prior to 1972.
Provenance: private Brevard, North Carolina, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#171076
Condition
Minor nicks to bowl rim and natural striations through ivory, otherwise intact and very good. Dark yellow patina and tobacco residue from use inside.