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Maker(s):Anonymous
Culture:Native American; Inuit
Title:Bear Pendant/Toggle
Date Made:n.d.
Type:Personal Equipment
Materials:walrus ivory, blue Russian trade bead, leather
Place Made:United States; Alaska; Inuit Nunangat (Northern Canada--Nunavut, northern Ontario, Newfoundland, Labrador, Northwest Territories); Northern Alaska and Little Diomede Island
Measurements:1 x 2 1/2 x 1 1/4 in.; 2.54 x 6.35 x 3.175 cm
Accession Number:  SC 1960.154
Credit Line:Gift of Charlotte Heussy McAllister, class of 1930
Museum Collection:  Smith College Museum of Art
1960_154.jpg

Not on view

Description:
This carved walrus ivory pendant portrays an incised polar bear's head inlaid with a small blue Russian trade bead. The pendant or toggle is "threaded" with a thin strip of leather, to create a wearable piece of jewelry or clothing adornment. Although the blue trade bead likely originated from a European source, it is difficult to know when or how the bead made it to Inuit hands--especially because ancient coastal trade routes existed. AP2018

Tags:
animals

Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=SC+1960.154

Research on objects in the collections, including provenance, is ongoing and may be incomplete. If you have additional information or would like to learn more about a particular object, please email fc-museums-web@fivecolleges.edu.

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