Charm

Museum number:
2-5871
Permalink:
ark:/21549/hm21020005871
Alternate number:
x-961 (original number)
Accession number:
Acc.167
Description:
Carving of a woman, head and torso only; walrus ivory.
Donor:
Alaska Commercial Company, Benjamin Bristol, and Older University Collections
Collection place:
Alaska
Culture or time period:
Alaskan Eskimo
Collector:
Alaska Commercial Company
Collection date:
1898
Taxon:
Odobenus rosmarus
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Carvings (visual works)
Function:
5.2 Magic: Objects Associated with Practices reflecting confidence in the ability to manipulate supernatural agencies
Accession date:
1904
Context of use:
Human figures carved of ivory, bone or wood were placed by the seal oil lamp to serve as household charms. These charms were believed to keep the lamp, the winter source of heat and light, in order and happy.
Department:
Native US and Canada (except California)
Dimensions:
length 18.5 centimeters
Comment:
Treasures of the Lowie Museum, p. 28.
Loans:
S1945-1946 #4: Winfield Scott Wellington (March 11, 1946–October 28, 1955), S1951-1952 #1: University of California, Los Angeles (March 15, 1952–returned by 1957), S1957-1960 [XXX Wellington]: University Art Museum (UC Berkeley) (1957–1960), and S1973-1974 #49: University Art Museum (UC Berkeley) (November 4, 1973–August 8, 1974)
Images:
Hearst Museum object 1 of 2 titled Charm, accession number 2-5871, described as Carving of a woman, head and torso only; walrus ivory.Hearst Museum object 2 of 2 titled Charm, accession number 2-5871, described as Carving of a woman, head and torso only; walrus ivory.
Legacy documentation:
Documentation associated with Hearst Museum object titled Charm, accession number 2-5871, described as Carving of a woman, head and torso only; walrus ivory.Documentation associated with Hearst Museum object titled Charm, accession number 2-5871, described as Carving of a woman, head and torso only; walrus ivory.Documentation associated with Hearst Museum object titled Charm, accession number 2-5871, described as Carving of a woman, head and torso only; walrus ivory.

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