Transformational figure
This female figure with an elongated head and torso appears part-human and part-sea mammal or fish. Although its exact purpose is specific to the owner, the narrow opening at the center may signify the boundary between the physical and spirit worlds. Carvings such as this one are among the most aesthetically refined of the Old Bering Sea sculptural works.
Artwork Details
- Title: Transformational figure
- Date: ca. 200 BCE–100 CE
- Geography: Made in Bering Strait region, Alaska, United States
- Culture: Okvik, Native American
- Medium: Walrus ivory
- Dimensions: 3 × 3/4 × 3/16 in. (7.6 × 1.9 × 0.5 cm)
- Credit Line: The Charles and Valerie Diker Collection of Native American Art, Gift of Charles and Valerie Diker, 2021
- Object Number: 2021.434.15
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Thule, Native American
ca. 800–1200
Old Bering Sea II, Native American
100–300 CE
Okvik, Native American
100 BCE–200 CE
Old Bering Sea III, Native American
300–500 CE
Tlingit, Native American
ca. 1840–70
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.