Native American Indian artifact from the Fry collection

Collection: Fry

Item Number: Fry0132

Category: Float

Region: Arctic

Tribe: Eskimo

Period: 1850-1875

Materials: Seal skin and walrus ivory, as well as sea mammal hide.

Description: Seal hide floats were made from complete seals after the heads were removed. The openings were closed with ivory plugs or lashed with sea mammal hide. An ivory tube, for inflating the float was secured, generally at the neck area. Floats like this were tied to the end of a sea mammal hide line that was attached to a toggle head harpoon point. After the seal or walrus was harpooned this float would drag behind it to prevent the escape of the wounded animal.

Dimensions: Length 37.0 inches; Width 15.0 inches

Exhibitions:

Lure of the Arctic, Cincinnati Art Museum, October 2007 - January 2008