These ivory figurines may be high-status versions of the miniature clay examples that have been found in burial contexts throughout the Andean region of South America. The small and delicate male and female carvings are decorated with stone and shell inlays that suggest that they possibly functioned as treasured talismans or ritual offerings.


Estas figurillas de marfil pueden tratarse de versiones de alto rango de los ejemplos de miniaturas de barro que se han encontrado en contextos funerarios a través de la región Andina de Sudamérica. Los pequeños y delicados tallados masculino y femenino están decorados con incrustaciones de piedra y concha, sugiriendo que tuvieron una función como amuletos atesorados o como ofrendas rituales.

Gift of Appleton Sturgis

By exchange

This is a curved pipe with a bowl shaped like a knob on a slender pole. Along the stem of the pipe are carved scenes of whale and walus hunting and village scenes with food preparation.Pipes like this were used but also made for trade.

By exchange

Whale spear model, light wood with bone ends.

By exchange

By exchange

By exchange

By exchange