North America | Alaska
Thule Figure
Alaska
Thule culture – Archaic Eskimo
Prior to the 17th century
Marine ivory
Heigth: 1 ½ in. – 3.8 cm
Thule figure 3.8 cm / Galerie Flak
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.
Explore the entire collection
