#6 • Walrus Skull w/ Billiken Carved Tusks - Vernon Ozenna

Part of Collection of Arthur Gross Day 1 (live auction by Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals)

High bid $1,400.00

Status: Sold

Category: Scrimshaw

The front portion of a walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) skull, complete with eight upper molar teeth and a pair of tusks, each carved in totemic fashion with a quartet of scrimshaw billikens on the front surface. Signed upon the side of one tusk circa 1988 by Iñupiat artist Vernon Ozenna (b.1962) of Diomede, Alaska. Two tiny screws and a length of wrapped wire are evident on the roof of the mouth, apparently in place to hold the left and right halves secure. Skull, with tusks, measures approximately 5" x 8" x 18" tall.