19th Century Eskimo Walrus Ivory Carving

19th Century Eskimo Walrus Ivory Carving

A charming walrus, carved from walrus tusk, mounted on a metal stand. The carving is ex-de Menil collection. John and Dominique de Menil were serious art enthusiasts who began collecting modern and antique art work in the 1940s. Their permanent collection is housed at The Menil Collection museum in Houston, Texas.

This carving of a walrus, made from walrus tusk shows all the signs of a primitive work, including hand tool marks as well as eyes and nostrils inlaid with iron. It is an excellent example of Eskimo art from the pre-commercial period.

Written in pen on a brittle piece of tape, once attached to the bottom of the stand: “Walrus carved in ivory of its own species. 19th century Eskimo”

Walrus is 3 1/2 inches long x 1 inch wide x 1 1/4 inches high. It is 3 1/2 inches high including the metal stand.

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.