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• St. Lawrence Island Yupik
• Alaska
• 800-1400 CE
• Walrus ivory
• Funds from F. H. Douglas, 1949.861

Alaska Native hunters meticulously carved their own tools from ivory or wood, praying for success in capturing seals, walrus, and ultimately whales. Harpoon heads and other harpoon-related elements feature designs of wings, mouths, eyes, and nostrils that suggest an animal form. These decorative designs can help to date harpoon-related materials that have been used in hunting for thousands of years. For example, small intaglio circles added throughout the heads and other parts were used between about 800 and 1400 CE.