Native American, Pacific Northwest Coast, United States or Canada, Tlingit or Haida people, ca. 19th century CE. An adorable frog amulet carving made from horn of a bighorn sheep. The back, eyes, and nostrils are inlaid with nacre shell panels that contrast beautifully with the brown-beige horn. These protective amulets often represented the helper spirits of shamans, imbuing power and guiding the owner through rituals and daily life. Charms and amulets were also used in healing- such a figurine might be placed on the afflicted person to promote healing. Frogs are symbols of luck in Tlingit culture and in Haida legend frogs are the only children of Mother Earth and promote stability to houses and structures. Size: 3.25" L x 1" W x 1" H (8.3 cm x 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm)
Provenance: private Brevard, North Carolina, USA collection
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#171008
Condition
Dark patina and striations as shown. Nicks and chips to nacre inlays, but rest is intact and excellent.