Native American Shell & Marine Mammal Tooth Necklace (Auction 2026-06-05, Lot 111)

$289.13

Native American, Northwestern United States, possibly Alaska, Inuit / Yup’ik culture, ca. 18th to early 20th century CE. A necklace composed of shell heishi beads strung on a monofilament wire with a metal hook clasp, featuring twelve suspended teeth likely from a marine mammal – possibly seal, whale, or walrus – suggesting an Alaskan origin. Size of strand: 15.5″ L (39.4 cm); teeth: 0.75″ L x 0.5″ W (1.9 cm x 1.3 cm)

Provenance: Collection of Y. Kayvan, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from a Los Angeles, California, USA gallery acquisition dates range from the late 1990s to 2005

Condition: Abrasions, fissures, and losses to enamel on teeth Strung in modern times and wearable.