li)6 THE ESKIMO ABOUT BERING STRAIT [kth.ann. ig 



ARTS AIS^D MAT^ITFACTURES 



BONE AND IVORY CARVINCf ^ 



The Alaskan Eskimo are remarkable for their dexterity iu working 

 wood, bone, ivory, and reindeer born. This is i^articnlarly noticeable 

 among the people on the islands of Bering strait and the mainland 

 coast from Point Hope southward to the mouth of Kuskokwim river. 

 Within this area the implements used in hunting and for household 

 purposes are liaudsomely made and often are elaborately ornamented; 

 special skill is shown in adapting the forms of mammals, birds, and 

 fish, with which they are familiar, to the ornamentation of useful arti- 

 cles. In addition to utilizing animal forms for this purpose, thej' dis- 

 play considerable imaginative faculty in the conception of designs for 

 fanciful carvings, as well as in ornamental patterns, which are fre- 

 quently etched on the surface of various objects. Many of their carv- 

 ings are really artistic, and the skill with wliich animal forms are 

 carved in relief is admirable. The beauty of their work is the more 

 surprising when we consider the rude tools with which it is accom- 

 plished. Of the articles obtained many are very ancient, and, the old 

 men told me, had been made by the use of flint tools. The execution 

 of these carvings is equal to that of the specimens produced by the use 

 of iron and steel tools at the present time. 



While a considerable degree of artistic taste and skill is quite gen- 

 eral, there are some districts in which the people seem to have a 

 greater amount of ability in this direction than the average. The most 

 notable instance of this is among the people living between the Yukon 

 delta and the lower Kuskokwim, which is amply illustrated in the 

 collection, obtained in that locality, of elaborate masks, handsomely 

 ornamented wooden boxes and trays, and a great variety of beautifully 

 executed ivory work. The villages of Askinuk, Kushunuk, Agiukchu- 

 gamut, and others in this vicinity, supplied a fine series of ivory carvings, 

 well-made wooden dishes, and numerous implements of wood and ivory, 

 all marked by excellence of workmanship. The people of Ukagamut 

 were living in the greatest squalor, even for Eskimo, yet among them 

 were found beautiful specimens of ivory carving. 



Before Avorking bone, deerhorn, or ivory, it is the custom to soak 

 the material thoroughly in urine in order to soften it, and indeed it is 

 frequently wetted with the same liquid as the work progresses. For 

 rendering the etched lines on the surface of carvings more distinct, a 

 black paint is made from a mixture of gunpowder and blood, which is 

 rubbed into the freshly cut incisions, making a permanent stain. 



In places where ivory is plentiful the men appeared to delight in occu- 

 pying their leisure time iu making carvings from that material or from 

 bone, sometimes for use, but frequently merely for pastime, and many 

 little images are made as toys for children. The articles thus produced 



