Whalebone Shaman Figure by Jerome Saclamana

This shaman figure is hand-carved by Iñupiaq artist, Jerome Saclamana, from King Island Alaska. 

The shaman's body takes on the form of a whale. The figure is carved from whalebone and features whale baleen inlays and walrus ivory for the eyes. The figure holds a drum in his right hand and it has a strip of baleen and seal fur at the side. The drum in the shaman's hand is carved from whale baleen. The ptarmigan feather in the figure's mouth represents a gateway for supernature. 

More about whalebone:

Whalebone can be identified by its incredibly porous texture. It has traditionally been used by the Iñupiat people of Alaska's north coast to construct houses, carve masks, and even used as firewood. Whales are protected in the United States by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, and only Alaska Natives are allowed to hunt them. The whale hunt remains central to Iñupiat social structure today. Inupiat people hunt whales for subsistence and sell bone carvings to supplement their income. Only after the bone has been carved or otherwise significantly altered, it is legal to sell or trade in the United States. 

Dimensions: 15.25" H x 6" L x 2.25" W