Inuit scrimshawed walrus tusk cribbage board. A striking walrus ivory tusk hand carved into a cribbage board with intricate scrimshawed motifs of animals and hunting scenes across the surfaces. The tusk is polished to even the surface for use as a score board face, and an ivory peg is added to the underside as a foot to balance the board. At the tipis a large perforation for suspension. Two pairs of thirty incised holes within rectangular sections filled with black ink create the playing area, surrounded by a scene of caribou, a hand holding an antler, a man in boat hunting seals, and a sled dog. The other sides have fish and an encampment with a boat, and more walrus and seals basking on land and swimming. All is highly detailed and beautiful – suggesting the artist was familiar with their natural surroundings. 24″ x 2 1/2″
PERIOD: Early 20th Century
ORIGIN: Arctic – Inuit, Native American
SIZE: 24″ x 2 1/2″