Eskimo Art Harry Shavings Ivory Loon Mask

Eskimo Art Harry Shavings Ivory Loon Mask

A beautifully designed mask made from walrus ivory and baleen by Harry Shavings (1909 – 1989). The appendages of a loon (head, wings, webbed feet, tail) surround the thin baleen hoop. A muskox (head on the left, feet near the bottom), a fish (across the bottom of the ivory), and a human face (representing the lon’s spirit) adorn the ivory centerpiece, scratched onto the surface in black and red ink. The baleen hoop represents the universe.

While there are numerous examples of wooden mask made by or attributed to Harry Shavings, this is the only one we have seen so far carved from walrus tusk. The mask came out of the collection of a gentleman who had spent many years traveling and/or living in Juneau, Alaska.

10 inches wide x 9 1/2 inches high. Ivory is 1 5/8 inches thick. Ca. 3rd quarter 20th century.

Please note that products containing ivory and/or baleen cannot be shipped outside of the United States, or to New York, New Jersey, Hawaii, or California. To our knowledge, 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. Before ordering any product containing ivory, please check with your own state’s laws.