#41 • An Exceptional Eskimo Seal Decoy Ice Scratcher

Part of December 2025 Premier Auction (live auction by Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals)

High bid $2,900.00

Status: Sold

Category: Ethnographic Objects

A very scarce and finely detailed 19th-century Eskimo ice scratcher, a traditional hunting implement used to imitate the faint sounds of seals moving beneath frozen sea ice. By gently scraping or tapping the ice surface, hunters could draw curious seals toward a breathing hole or small opening, where they would briefly surface and be taken. This quiet, skill-based method reflects the deep environmental knowledge and subsistence expertise of northern coastal hunting traditions. The handle is carved from walrus tusk, its smooth, naturally patinated surface consistent with prolonged age and use. It is joined to a wooden projection fitted with five genuine seal claws and secured with traditional fiber bindings. These components are tightly wrapped with hide, still intact and exhibiting rich, well-aged coloration. The construction is notably sophisticated and compares closely to an example in the collections of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, though the present piece shows more advanced workmanship; the Smithsonian example carries an acquisition date of 1883. The piece measures 11" long and is accompanied by a metal display stand. **This lot is actively in (delayed) transit and will not be available for pickup/shipment until Friday, December 12th. If it becomes available for pickup or shipment before then, we will notify the winning bidder immediately.