Pendant

Old Bering Sea II

Excavated Kukulik Site, St. Lawrence Island, Alaska

100 - 300 CE

Fossilized Walrus Ivory

9.9cm

ex. Private New York Collection

One thing that seems to be unanimous among the objects of the Old Bering Sea cultures is adornment. Any and all personal objects, from toggles to harpoon heads, were not only carved into elaborate forms but also incised with extremely fine linework. This particular pendant to me is one of the most beautiful and fine examples of this type of adorned object. It depicts the brow and eyes of a person, almost life-sized, decorated with the previously mentioned linework and red ochre. Like most other ancient ivories, the exact function and purpose are lost to time. But when comparing to other examples, the consensus seems to be that these objects are pendants worn on the neck or chest. What stands out to me about this one is the realism and refinement with which it is carved, being both uniquely singular and executed with such amazing skill that it almost transcends Inuit art.