#6 • Large Whale Tooth Billiken w/Iditarod Fine Silver Medallion

Part of June 2025 Treasure Trove Auction (timed auction by Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals)

High bid $375.00

Status: Sold

Category: Ethnographic Objects

A large mineralized whale tooth depicting the mythical Billiken folk spirit and featuring a metal disk on its stomach engraved with three sled dogs to commemorate the 2017 Iditarod race. First described in 1908 by Kansas City art teacher Florence Petz, the Billiken is said to bring good luck through the purchase and gifting of its likeness. The Billiken caught onto a wave of popularity in Alaska in 1909 when the Inuk carver Angokwazhuk began including the figure in his work. Measures approximately 6" long.