Native American, Northwestern United States, Alaska, Beringian / Old Bering Sea Culture / Yupik people, Thule / Pre-Contact Period, ca. 200 BCE to 800 CE. This is an interesting and rare artefact made from walrus ivory that is hand-carved into a vessel as a boat effigy or toy. The interior section is hollowed out, and the base is flat and stable to rest upright on. The elongated body tapers at either end to create a stern and prow like a kayak. The tip of one end is pierced, perhaps for securing a line to float on water. Creating small scale models of boats may have helped demonstrate carving skills to children and to function as toys or storage vessels. Size: 5.65" L x 1" W x 1" H (14.4 cm x 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm)This is an ESA antique exempt piece of ivory and cannot be sold internationally or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. We guarantee that the piece is over 100 years old. Provenance: private Covington, Louisiana, USA collection All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping. #169868