Pair of Eskimo Work Boxes
Walrus Ivory, sinew, and wood
19th Century
Oblong 24 1/2" x 7 1/4" x 6 3/4"
Large 19 3/4" x 11 3/4" x 9"
Provenance: Paul and Mary Thiry, Seattle, WA
Rare bent wood tool boxes with the larger example constructed with a set in bottom which became secure when the sides were sewn together. The box being a continuous piece of wood, sewn in the back through three walrus ivory bands with sinew. The handle is part of an old harpoon head, tied through the holes in the cover. An ivory spur is the catch. The box is grooved on the cover and around the bottom for decoration. The harpoon head used as the handle is of a very old style and may have been a fetish belonging to the owner.
The oblong bent wood box is in two pieces joined in front and back. The two pieces are sewn together through the walrus ivory reinforcements. The bottom was fitted into a groove becoming fixed when the box ends were secured. The cover is held on by sinew in back and a tie caught by an walrus ivory band in the front. The handle is tied through two holes in the cover. Decoration consists of grooving around the top and lower part of the box. A rare pair of museum quality boxes rarely seen in the market place.
This is an ESA antique exempt piece of ivory and cannot be sold internationally, or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. We guarantee that the piece was made prior to 1972.
Sold as a pair.
Walrus Ivory, sinew, and wood
19th Century
Oblong 24 1/2" x 7 1/4" x 6 3/4"
Large 19 3/4" x 11 3/4" x 9"
Provenance: Paul and Mary Thiry, Seattle, WA
Rare bent wood tool boxes with the larger example constructed with a set in bottom which became secure when the sides were sewn together. The box being a continuous piece of wood, sewn in the back through three walrus ivory bands with sinew. The handle is part of an old harpoon head, tied through the holes in the cover. An ivory spur is the catch. The box is grooved on the cover and around the bottom for decoration. The harpoon head used as the handle is of a very old style and may have been a fetish belonging to the owner.
The oblong bent wood box is in two pieces joined in front and back. The two pieces are sewn together through the walrus ivory reinforcements. The bottom was fitted into a groove becoming fixed when the box ends were secured. The cover is held on by sinew in back and a tie caught by an walrus ivory band in the front. The handle is tied through two holes in the cover. Decoration consists of grooving around the top and lower part of the box. A rare pair of museum quality boxes rarely seen in the market place.
This is an ESA antique exempt piece of ivory and cannot be sold internationally, or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. We guarantee that the piece was made prior to 1972.
Sold as a pair.
Walrus Ivory, sinew, and wood
19th Century
Oblong 24 1/2" x 7 1/4" x 6 3/4"
Large 19 3/4" x 11 3/4" x 9"
Provenance: Paul and Mary Thiry, Seattle, WA
Rare bent wood tool boxes with the larger example constructed with a set in bottom which became secure when the sides were sewn together. The box being a continuous piece of wood, sewn in the back through three walrus ivory bands with sinew. The handle is part of an old harpoon head, tied through the holes in the cover. An ivory spur is the catch. The box is grooved on the cover and around the bottom for decoration. The harpoon head used as the handle is of a very old style and may have been a fetish belonging to the owner.
The oblong bent wood box is in two pieces joined in front and back. The two pieces are sewn together through the walrus ivory reinforcements. The bottom was fitted into a groove becoming fixed when the box ends were secured. The cover is held on by sinew in back and a tie caught by an walrus ivory band in the front. The handle is tied through two holes in the cover. Decoration consists of grooving around the top and lower part of the box. A rare pair of museum quality boxes rarely seen in the market place.
This is an ESA antique exempt piece of ivory and cannot be sold internationally, or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. We guarantee that the piece was made prior to 1972.
Sold as a pair.