Please respect that Inupiaq Inuit natives living in the inhospitable environment of frigid waters and icy temperatures of the Bering Sea, subsist on sea life. After the nutrients have been shared with the community, remaining debris is discarded. It may be buried in the tundra or washed away by turbulent seas. This flotsam and detritus is prized by native carvers and is believed to retain spiritual powers.

In accordance with international treaties, objects that include marine mammal residue, even ossified material, may only be shipped outside the USA with a Federal permit. The states of California, New Jersey and New York also have restrictions on such shipments. It is wise to check your state’s rules before ordering if you have any concerns.

We acquired this vintage carving at Gannon’s, an antiques dealer in Fort Myers, Florida in 2005. Research online suggests that the Payenna who carved and signed this item was a member of the Inupiaq family originally living in King Island in the Bering Sea off the shore of Alaska. Possibly Vincent Payenna, who was known as a carver. No other attribution is available at this time.