Otter Figure

Carved from marine ivory, specifically a walrus tooth, this animal figure depicts an otter in a swimming or diving posture. This otter figure stands out for its dynamism, sleek form, and superb, deep patina displaying various shades of brown. A hole near the belly likely made it possible to attach this amulet to a necklace or clothing. Of note is the delicacy of the details engraved around the animal’s head and tail.
According to ethnographic accounts collected in the early 20th century, it appears that these figures were considered by their owners as spiritual assistants or guides to help them capture prey or protect themselves against the physical or supernatural dangers of their environment.
Based on accounts gathered on St. Lawrence Island (Sivuqaq), guardian spirits communicated with humans through dreams or trances, indicating the ceremonies required to prevent illness, ensure the success of hunting expeditions, and guarantee an abundance of food. The Chukchi of Siberia believed that guardian spirits could come to life by incarnating themselves into carved human or animal figures. The wealth of ethnographic data gathered on the subject, combined with the care and refinement of the collected ivory figures, suggests that these sculptures must have played a multifaceted and complex role in the archaic cultures of the Bering Strait and beyond, which were passed down to the modern Inuit (Eskimos).