Several details and carvings on the surface. Still considered some of the finest examples of Inuit work, this tradition of excellence in craft continues among modern-day Inuit.'- To the Cage and Back Exhibitĭescription: Cribbage board made from one half of a walrus tusk. This included highly decorative pipes and walrus tusk cribbage boards, like this one. Use/Function:'The Inuit began to make more objects specifically to sell to European whalers in the 19th century. Feel free if you have further questions about your antique Inuit items. The small polar bear ivory carvings, which are called fetish carvings, would sell for 300 - 400 each.
Without additional documentation, was likely obtained by the Luther College Museum (later the Norwegian-American Museum) between the late 19th century and early 20th century. On today’s market, antique Inuit cribbage boards, which were usually carved from walrus tusks, sell for 1000 - 2000. This museum eventually grew into the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, and following this, non-Norwegian American ethnographic objects were returned to Luther and accessioned into the college’s Anthropology Collection. Provenance of Object:This object was held in the museum that Luther College started in 1877. E0261: Inuit- Cribbage Board EthnographicĬlassification Category:9:Recreational Artifacts ➞ Game