Ivory Knife
miłkaq “carver; curved knife”
16.3cm x 2.5cm x .07cm
Ivory, iron
Port Barrow, Alaska (Inupiaq), c.1884
Collector: Lt. P. H. Ray
Museum ID: RAY.C1.ebf.0136
This blade consisting of an ivory handle and iron edge is likely a variety of curved blade likely used for carving. These blades would have typically been made with porcupine and beaver teeth, but after foreign contact it became more common to use available scrap metals, as in this example. Leather and glue were used to bind the iron blade to the ivory handle. This object was likely used as a saw, and could have had a dual use as firestarter because of the groove in its shaft. These tools were also commonly used to carve bowls, spoons, and buckets. Additions to the object indicate it may have been given as a gift after it had been collected.