Harpoon counterweight
Old Bering Sea III, Native American
For hundreds of years, the harpoon was an essential tool for hunting on the Bering Sea. Carvers used walrus ivory to make components of the long, spear-like instrument, including its counterweights or stabilizers, sometimes referred to as "winged objects" because of their shape. The elegant sculptural form of this example is complemented by the flowing curves of its engraved linear designs. The top and outer edges of the wings may be inscribed with animal features.
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