April 23, 2024
Tlingit Gut Strung Carved Totem & Beads>Deer Bone (125 yr. Newton Coll. 1898)
Pricing & History
-
Sold for
Start Free Trial or Sign In to see what it's worth.
- Sold Date
- Source eBay
This is a Tlingit otter totem and beads carved from Sitka Deer bone and strung on animal gut in the 1890's, at least it was acquired by Newton in the 1890's. It may very well be much older. It has been in protected in the 125 year old William Newton Alaskan Native Collection, stored behind glass for 40 years and then in trunks for75 years. The collection is now being liquidated. The otter is an excellent carving and I've shown in the photos how the totem was attached with leather and gut strand to hang with hand carved beads (again carved from deer bone). The artifact originated in SE Alaska but through the vigorous trade between extended families, it traveled inland to the Upper Tanana River Valley where eventually Newton took it in trade with some furs. The furs went to Europe, but the carved otter necklet Newton kept for his own collection. The beads are hand carved from deer bone in assorted shapes and sizes, some plain, some with some decorative slashes, but they were all strung on gut with the otter totem. The strand of beads is actually long enough to drop over the head, however it's not recommended that one wear it, because the gut is very fragile after all this time. Sitka deer aren't found in the harsh interior of Alaska, but on the southern end and SE coastal areas.
Items in the Price Guide are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members’ research needs.
If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please contact us here to flag it for review.
If you are the originator/copyright holder of this photo/item and would prefer it be excluded from our community, contact us here for removal.
If you are the originator/copyright holder of this photo/item and would prefer it be excluded from our community, contact us here for removal.
