Walrus tusk scrimshaw?

cheese · Nov 12, 2011

I picked this up, among many other things, at a yard sale today. The lady told me it is whale bone, but I don't think so. The engraving appears to be an Inuit/Eskimo hunting a walrus? I got it along with a whole bunch of other items that mostly range from the turn of the century to the '50s. I will be posting some of those for ID as well. Thanks for any info!

CRUSADER · Nov 12, 2011

1950+ seems right as its incised with an electric 'tool'.

Bramblefind · Nov 12, 2011

I googled the artist name "Apodruk" and a bunch of things came up. This was first -

http://cgi.ebay.com/Harry-Apodruk-Etched-Inupiaq-Eskimo-Sled-Brooch-Pin-/110640911064

taz42o · Nov 12, 2011

It is made from whale baleen.

Ramitt · Nov 14, 2011

Inupiaq Eskimo artist, Harry Apodruk, of the White Mountain community. Apodruk was hired by Porter and Jensen Jewelers in Seattle in the 1960s to make artwork for their collections.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/22705468/rare-and-beautiful-1960s-alaska-whale

cheese · Nov 14, 2011

Whale baleen, so she was close when she said whalebone. Thanks for the help! I don't know why I didn't google the name on the piece. I was stuck on trying to figure out what it was made of. Thanks!