#74 • Folksy King Island Walrus Tusk Carving of Caribou

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

High bid $325.00

Status: Sold

Category: Ethnographic Objects

A charming and whimsical first-half-of-the-20th-century Alaska Native walrus tusk carving depicting a caribou, likely originating from King Island. Rendered in a delightfully folksy style, the figure stands in an alert pose with an open mouth and exaggerated, sweeping antlers fashioned from natural bone and delicately pinned into the head. The cream-colored body is carved from a single section of walrus tusk and displays a smooth, mellow patina acquired through age and handling. Minimal yet expressive details, including inset baleen eyes and a red-tinted tongue, lend the animal an engaging personality characteristic of early King Island carvings. The outsized antlers and slightly stylized proportions impart a whimsical quality while capturing the spirit of one of the Arctic's most important game animals. A fine and endearing example of early Alaskan Native folk sculpture, the caribou measures approximately 3.5" long by 2.5" wide by 4.5" tall.