#10 • Large 19th C. Eskimo Umiak Skin Boat Model

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

High bid $600.00

Status: Sold

Category: Ethnographic Objects

A large and well-detailed 19th-century Alaska Native model umiak, faithfully representing the traditional open skin boats used by the Inupiaq and Yup'ik peoples for transporting families, goods, and hunting parties across the waters of the Arctic and Bering Sea. Constructed with remarkable attention to detail, the model features a finely crafted wooden framework consisting of ribs, stringers, and thwarts covered with carefully stitched and stretched animal hide, likely seal or walrus, now displaying a deep, rich patina acquired through age and handling. Accompanying the vessel are three miniature wooden paddles and a long hunting implement or ice tester fitted with a carved walrus tusk component, further emphasizing the utilitarian and subsistence traditions embodied by the craft. The elegant sweeping sheer and delicate hide covering demonstrate the ingenuity and engineering of Arctic maritime cultures, whose umiaks were often called the "women's boats" and served as the primary means of transporting people, provisions, and harvested marine mammals. Model umiaks of this quality and age were frequently made as educational pieces, trade items, or souvenirs for visitors and collectors, and surviving nineteenth-century examples retaining their associated accessories are increasingly scarce. The beautiful darkened hide, hand-sewn construction, and complete presentation impart a strong sense of authenticity and craftsmanship. The umiak measures approximately 34.5" x 9" x 4.25" tall. Note Regarding Shipping Services: This item is exceptionally large and/or heavy, and may require custom boxing or crating depending on the intended destination and available carrier services. For more information prior to bidding, please email us at Shipping@AlaskaPremierAuctions.com or call/text us at 907.570.7050.