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Signed Sperm Whale Bone Inuit Carving Mid 1900s

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:200.00 USD Estimated At:600.00 - 1,200.00 USD
Signed Sperm Whale Bone Inuit Carving Mid 1900s
For your consideration is this large sculpture of a Native man made of sperm whale bone, set on a sperm whale bone base circa mid to late 1900s. The piece features a signature from the artist on the bottom of the base with the only legible word being "Rich". The sculpture sits on a large, flat piece of sperm whale bone with smaller pieces of whale bone sitting around the man, acting as rocks. The base is covered in moss and grass, giving the sculpture a life-like feel. Next to the man is a hide bag filled with small, wood and bone tools such as a smaller bow, a hoe, a pick and a small knife. The man stands tall in the middle and is constructed of sperm whale bone. He is aiming towards the sky with his bow and he has an extra arrow in his hide arrow sleeve on his right hip. He is wearing a raw hide belt with a small raw hide sleeve for his knife made of bone. There are spots of fur throughout the man's outfit near his knees, around his wrists and around his head, acting as the edges of his parka. The piece shows great detail in his face and hands and the carving is professionally done. The piece shows good condition overall with some wear throughout, but no signs of obvious damage are present. The piece measures 14" L x 17 1/4" W x 18" H and weighs 9 pounds and 4 ounces.