"Growing Goodness": An Alaska Native Collection at Oberlin CollegeMain MenuMission Statement and Project ContributorsObject GalleryClick on the object title for more informationLife HistoryMapYup'ik Materials and SubsistenceIntroduction page for the Raw Materials and Subsistence chapterVirtual 3D Exhibit
Object 25
12020-01-21T15:29:38+00:00Alaina Helm707f7d845b33dec30c77d3f91278c0fd43eb2f4c111Here’s what Dr. Rosemary Ahtuangaruak has to say!plain2020-01-21T15:29:38+00:00Alaina Helm707f7d845b33dec30c77d3f91278c0fd43eb2f4c
4.85 cm long x 2-3.5 cm wide x 2-2.5 cm thick Ivory
Norton Sound, Alaska (Yup’ik or Iñupiaq), c. 1876 Collector: E. W. Nelson Museum ID number: NEL.C1.r.4603
This decorative piece is made out of ivory and has spirals carved around a hole, perhaps to allow light to seep through. This piece may be a belt buckle, but it could have also been tied around someone’s neck or hair. It could have also been a chest piece or necklace for a chief. Additionally, it could have been used for spiritual rituals, likely for men rather than women.