North America | Alaska
Thule Birds
Alaska
Thule culture (Ancient Eskimo)
Walrus tooth
12th-16th century
Length: between 1 in. & 2in. (2.5cm & 5cm)
Exhibited & published: “Bestiaire du Monde – Arts des Lointains”, Cluny Abbey, May-June 2018
Thule bird figures / Galerie Flak
Price on request
According to Fitzhugh et Kaplan (Inua: Spirit World of the Bering Sea Eskimo, 1982 : 156), these shamanic figurines were carved for several purposes: to stand in for people absent from the village during festivals, to avert infertility, or else to focus the attention of animal inua (spirit) during the Doll Festival, which was held to bless hunting and fishing expeditions in the coming year.
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