Shaman's Amulet or IINRUQ

An exceptionally fine shaman's amulet or iinruq (iinrut), representing a half figure with extensive tattoos on both the front and rear of the torso. The smiling face is tattooed at the edges of the eyes and the mouth is decorated with an inset, blue, glass labret. The arms and digitized hands are carved in relief and presented with the hands hold the lower belly under the bellybutton. The carving of the figure is remarkable with both the face and body showing the most subtle modeling.

Yup'ik (Eskimo), possibly Cape Vancouver, Alaska, USA. Walrus tusk (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) and glass trade-bead. 7,3 cm. 18th/19th century.

Provenance Collected by USN Admiral Jefferson F. Moser (1848-1934) as commander of the USS Albatross between October 12, 1897, and April 26, 1898, during a study on the causes of Alaskan salmon depletion for the U.S. Fish Commission along the west coast from California to Alaska.

Jefferson F. Moser was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the son John B. and Henrietta Moser, on May 3, 1848. He entered the U.S. Naval Academy, then at Newport, Rhode Island, on September 29, 1864. In 1865 Moser was granted a leave of absence from the US Naval Academy and appointed Ensign by Admiral David Dixon Porter. After service in the Civil War Moser returned to the Naval Academy and graduated as a Midshipman at Annapolis, Maryland on June 2, 1868. He married Nancy McDowell on October 20, 1874, at Slatington, Pennsylvania, where they made their home. For many years he was employed on special duty on exploring expeditions for inter-oceanic canal routes on the Isthmus of Darien and Panama and in Nicaragua. He was also on the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey and the U.S. Fish Commission. He was the commander of the steamer USS Albatross (also known as USFC Albatross) and conducted a systematic study for the U.S. Fish Commission focusing on the ecology relating to Alaskan salmon. Moser made a topographic reconnaissance of the Alaskan coast between Alsek River Delta and Yakutat Bay. Reports of these trips were published in 1902. Moser is credited with having first reported and named many places and features in Alaska. A number of geographical features have been named for Moser. While in command of the Albatross Moser was appointed by President Grover Cleveland to the International Fur Seal Commission, in this capacity he visited Eastern Siberia and the Karile Islands. While in command of USS Albatross, Moser engaged in Oceanographic research and the exploration of the salmon streams and the lake systems of Alaska. Moser also undertook the exploration of the South Seas while under the direction of Alexander Agassiz and studied the Marquesas, Paumotu, Society Islands, Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji, Ellice, Gilbert, Marshall Islands, Caroline Islands and the Ladrone Islands. During the Spanish-American War, Moser was in command of the USS Albatross, the USS Bennington and the “Mosquito fleet” on the American and Mexican west coast. After retiring from the Navy in 1904, Moser became the General Superintendent of the Alaska Packers Association of San Francisco, during which time he had charge of a large fleet of fishing steamers and the largest fleet of deep-sea sailing vessels in the world. In 1914 he was recalled to duty to act as inspector of ships on the West Coast and oversaw construction of facilities at San Pedro, California, as well as sitting on Boards of Inquiry. In his later years Moser lived at Alameda, California, with an office in San Francisco. Rear Admiral Jefferson Franklin Moser died in Alameda, California, on October 11, 1934, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Jefferson F. Moser  is the author of The Salmon And Salmon Fisheries Of Alaska: Report Of The Alaskan Salmon Investigations Of The United States Fish Commission Steamer Albatross In 1900 And 1901.