20th C. Inuit Wood Harpoon w/ Bone Tip
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20th C. Inuit Wood Harpoon w/ Bone Tip

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Native American, Arctic region, Inuit peoples, ca. mid 20th century CE. A tall harpoon, fashioned from wood and made in three parts, with a decorative carved haft end, a tip made from sharpened, serrated bone – probably caribou – and the center of the handle wrapped thickly in twine. The tip is attached by twine to a socket that is fitted onto the leather end of the shaft. The tip is meant to come off once the prey is pierced. There would have been a long cord attached to the end and used to pull in the catch. A fascinating and aesthetically beautiful artifact! Size: 2.25″ W x 78″ H (5.7 cm x 198.1 cm); 83.25″ H (211.5 cm) on included custom stand.

Condition: Light patina on wooden and twine surfaces from age and handling. Wooden attachment immediately below the bone tip has been repaired.

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection

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