amulet, ivory
Date Made/Found: about 19th-early 20th Century
Material and Medium: walrus ivory, black pigment
Dimensions: Overall: 12 x 18 x 125mm (1/2 x 11/16 x 4 15/16in.)
Place Object Found:
Aleutian Islands
Accession Number: J1936.147
Ivory amulet in shaped of seal with long body and a removable head with mouth open. It is decorated with black lines, circles with dots and has "36" written on top of head. No hole. Miniature ivory figures of people and animals are common and it may relate to a belief that the soul of any creature, whether animal or human, is a miniature version of that creature and resides in its bladder.
Display Location: In Store
