Native American, North America, Pacific Northwest Coast, probably Alaskan Inuit, ca. 1900s to 1920s CE. A hand-carved walrus ivory totem pole of a petite size that stands upon a separately carved ivory base. The subjects featured on this totem pole include a bear head near the base, a downward-facing raven with a human face between its wings, and a trio of standing anthropomorphic figures, all in front of a thunderbird with outstretched wings. The creamy yellow-white composition is decorated with shades of red pigment that nicely complement the ivory. Size: 1.5" W x 3.125" H (3.8 cm x 7.9 cm)
This is a pre-Act piece of walrus ivory under the MMPA 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 Southern California collection, USA, bestowed 2006; ex-J. Malter collection, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired before 2006
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.
#167836
Condition
Totem pole rests within center of base with petite tenon but is not permanently attached. Light fading to red pigment and softening to some finer incised details, otherwise intact and very good. Nice surface smoothness throughout.