1950s Vintage Alaskan Eskimo-Inuit Ivory Coupling Bears

1950s Vintage Alaskan Eskimo-Inuit Ivory Coupling Bears

This carving depicts two polar bears coupling behind a modest half-wall. The black ink around the mouths is a typical style from the mid-20th century. 

This artist also depicts a whale, perhaps a bowhead, lying between the feet of the female bear. That indicates either a strong sense of humor or else a very distorted sense of scale. We prefer to think it’s a good sense of humor.

4 1/8 inches long x 2 inches wide x 3 1/4 inches high

This item, along with many more, came out of the collection of the late Russell McLaughlin. Mr. McLaughlin spent several years in Alaska in the early 1950s, where he collected hundreds of pieces of Eskimo/Inuit artwork and artifacts.

Please note that products containing ivory or other marine mammal components cannot be shipped to New York, New Jersey, Hawaii, or California. As of this writing, it is still legal to ship these products to all other states. Click here to see a brochure published by the U.S. Department of the Interior with more details on this topic.

If you are interested in having this product shipped outside the United States, please call 207 423-8473 to discuss permit requirements.