Whalebone Walrus Figure by Charles Edwards

This mother and child walrus figure is hand-carved by Siberian Yup'ik artist, Charles Edwards, from Savoonga Alaska. The figure is carved from whalebone and features walrus ivory tusks and eyes. The base of this figure is made from whalebone and the stand is made from whale baleen.

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: 6" H x 8.25" L x 7" W