Harpoon Point

An exceptionally fine and large harpoon head with a pierced center for the attachment of the line. The harpoon head is flanged at the front and waisted in the center so to represent the stylized body and head of a breaching whale. It is superbly decorated with a spare, incised, linear and dot design all over. The fore-end is slit to receive a slate blade. The rear end is pierced to receive the fore-shaft. Saint Lawrence Island (?), Alaska, USA. Punuk Culture 600 – 900 AD. Mineralized walrus tusk (Odobenus rosmarus divergens). 17.8 cm. 

Provenance Sold Christies, New York, 13 January 2003, lot 207 (part of)