Joe Blatchford Scrimshaw Tusk Eskimo Art Inupiaq

Joe Blatchford Scrimshaw Tusk Eskimo Art Inupiaq

This is the largest male walrus tusk we have had in the gallery. The scrimshaw was expertly executed by Joe Blatchford, Inupiaq artist, caa. 1940 to 2009. Blatchford did his work in spite of severe damage to his hands caused by fire. One second-hand account stated he would tape tools to his burned hands to do his work.

The scrimshaw depicts the following images:

– Various types of birds on or hovering around a rock island. Note the use of yellow ink in this section
– A sailing ship
– Several walrus on a rock, with other walruses swimming in the water nearby.

27 iches long; 30 inches measured along the curve. The open end of the tusk is finished with old ivory. The tusk weighs over 7 pounds, and is curved in a way that is not visible in the photos.

Because of ivory trading regulations, this item can not be shipped to New York, California, New Jersey, Hawaii, or any country other than the United States.