Two thousand years ago, the inhabitants of the islands in the Bering Strait created haunting and elegant figurines and hunting implements from walrus ivory, while living under the most brutal conditions imaginable. Although made for daily use, their harpoon points, sockets, and counterweights were intricately engraved out of respect for the animals that were being hunted. The figurines, whose intended use is not known, look like little sculptures by Modigliani. The later Old Bering Sea cultures continued to produce beautiful ivory artifacts for the next thousand years.

At the turn of the last century, the inhabitants of mainland Alaska still carved walrus ivory, both for daily use and for sale to seamen and visitors. Many of these objects were decorated with engravings that varied from stick figures to photographically detailed portraits. These engravings provide snapshots of daily activities, ranging from hunting to dancing to games, carried on in the teeth of the Alaskan climate.

Nunivak Island tusk

Okvik harpoon counterweight