Thule figure

North America | Alaska

Thule figure

Alaska

Anthropomorphic figure
Thule culture – Ancient Eskimo

1200– 1700 AD
Marine Ivory
Height: 11.5 cm – 4 ½ in.

Provenance
Ex collection Yann Ferrandin, Paris
Ex collection Guy Porré & Nathalie Chaboche, acquired from the above

Thule figure 11.5 cm / Galerie Flak Price on request
According to Fitzhugh & Kaplan (Inua: Spirit World of the Bering Sea Eskimo, 1982 : 156), these carved figurines were carved for several purposes: to stand in for people absent from the village during festivals, to avert infertility, or else to focus the attention of animal inua (spirit) during the Doll Festival, which was held to bless hunting and fishing expeditions in the coming year.

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