Inuit Walrus Tusk Cribbage Board

Inuit scrimshawed walrus tusk cribbage board. A striking walrus ivory tusk hand carved into a cribbage board with intricate scrimshawed motifs of animals and hunting scenes across the surfaces. The tusk is polished to even the surface for use as a score board face, and an ivory peg is added to the underside as a foot to balance the board. At the tipis a large perforation for suspension. Two pairs of thirty incised holes within rectangular sections filled with black ink create the playing area, surrounded by a scene of caribou, a hand holding an antler, a man in boat hunting seals, and a sled dog. The other sides have fish and an encampment with a boat, and more walrus and seals basking on land and swimming. All is highly detailed and beautiful - suggesting the artist was familiar with their natural surroundings. These carvings were usually small carvings from walrus ivory, representing local animals and Inuit themselves, going about everyday life. Seals, caribou, polar bears, birds, and other animals important to Inuit’s survival were often represented. 24" x 2 1/2"