#65 • Early Eskimo Fossil Walrus Tusk Caribou Vessel & Carving

Part of June 2026 Premier Auction (live auction by Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals)

High bid $275.00

Status: Sold

Category: Ethnographic Objects

Two early 20th-century Eskimo carvings crafted from walrus tusk, both featuring the relatively uncommon subject of the caribou. The first is an open-topped vessel, likely intended as a toothpick holder or small trinket cup, lightly polished to reveal exceptionally rich mineral coloration acquired through long burial within ancient beach sands. Shades of chocolate brown, cream, honey, and charcoal create a striking natural pattern across the exterior, which is carved in relief with the standing figure of a caribou shown in profile with head raised. The interior is smoothly hollowed, while the underside exposes the secondary dentine of the ancient tusk. Accompanying the vessel is a standing caribou sculpture carved with mature antlers and slender proportions upon an integral base. Baleen inlays define the eyes, while black pigment accents the nose, hooves, and mouth. The largest piece measures approximately 2.5" x 1.5" x 2.25" tall. Caribou subjects are encountered less frequently than marine mammals in early Eskimo carvings, and the dramatic natural coloration of the fossilized tusk adds considerably to the visual appeal of the vessel. Provenance: From the collection of Dr. Henry B. Collins and descendants. Collins (1899-1987) served as Senior Archaeologist and Head Curator of Ethnology at the Smithsonian Institution and spent decades conducting research throughout Alaska and the Bering Strait region.