Featured Double walrus pen holder, carved Ivory...........

Thanks....but 'not lucky'...... good at what I do !!! hehe !

Yes....the etching that follows the ivory cracking...( 4 want of a better term..) has always peaked my interest !!
That's why I took pains to show it as clear as possible hoping someone might venture an opinion on why it's there....
It seems to never have been signed.....but someone put those fronds there for a reason.....that I've been unable to discern .

 

TANTALIZING! but can't find an active link...

 

you may be on to something here , but the item you've shown , i'm sure is earlier than mine........ still , that row of holes is perplexing.!

 

I just keep coming back to 'adaptation' of something old, catering not to 'tourist' but sailing vessels. As if the Inuit amulet would be 'repurposed' to a Captains use, and then further adapted.

@i need help : Nice!

Agree komokwa's object is not as old, but I'm just feeling 20's 30's. No proof, just gut.

 

I'm impressed by it's size.....it came from a large tusk... that shows good age , never mind the carving...

 

the hunting of otters was very special.....i'd say charm !

 

another look....

 

the 'short tusk' still looks walrus to me, and the underturned flipper.


https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sou...aw0ZGuqhqBCOPD8nWjaHf1j4&ust=1558415191803434

 

http://indigenousboats.blogspot.com/2013/12/more-alaska-eskimo-maritime-items.html

those 6 holes might have some lashing purpose. Ironic, but the Taino celt might actually be an 'accurate' portrayal of what it might be used for, some kind of stand... the center item is a harpoon rest




to be continued ...

 

cool...but I'm not seeing that......

& an otter floatin on her back....well she's just being an otter....

 

and the gang'll back me up on that....

 

That photo would be an otter and her pup undoubtedly.

 

CUTE !!!!!!

 

Cute, and gorgeous. May you catch many walrus.

 

I've heard that skillful people are often luckier than others. Knowledge helps!

 

ok, ok! you've all convinced me that CUTE trumps WALRUS.

...and it helped that I found more flippers turned under on carvings so, its more likely otter or sea lion than walrus - plus the body of the carving is streamlined, rather than the typical upright walrus pose -- and it's harder to justify using it as a kayak cleat if it's a walrus -- and age-wise, the walrus carvings seem more abundant later post WWII, and otter effigies are earlier and abundant more consistent with the age of ivory. And besides, they are so darn cute.

And then using a picture of pup and mother against me, too... that just otter be outlawed.

I've been thinking about the lashings too; the boat's - not mine. six holes, conical shape, like a counter sink for a screw, except, not for a screw head, for a sinew knot instead. Thus, you can run three lines around the boat, the ends secured at each pair of holes. These lines could be used for holding equipment.
The following is a modern homage to the old ones.
Shooting Star baidarka built for "WoodenBoat" article Jan/Feb 2015 #242
It could be a 'pull handle' - note the one at the stern. the cord loops through and back on itself.



I think I've made your case for you adequately to poke holes in why it's an otter, not a pair of walrussians. And maybe why it's an older 'cleat' from a baidarka.

 

OMG!!!!! IT'S KELP! OTTERS [edit, actually "Sea Lions"]. The incised marking is a Kelp frond that is at the top suspended on the surface by gas filled pockets that look like the 'tassle' at the end. AND it's even 'wrapped' around the body of the ivory, so that the frond is 'in the water' whereas the 'tassle/gas pockets' are on the surface.

IT'S ALL COMING TOGETHER!


WHAT a piece of art.

 

Ahem. Cough cough.

Not sayin'. I mean, just. You know.


It's kelp.



sea lion [limited by the choices...]