Baleen Basket by Adam Tooyak

Very finely woven baleen basket with walrus head finial. Signed on interior base "Tooyak/Wainwright, BAS-766" for Adam Tooyak (1927-). 4 1/2"D x 3 1/2"H top of finial. Baleen is a material obtained by Inupiaq and St. Lawrence islanders from harvested whales, particularly the bowhead. For over half a century, Alaskan Inupiaq Eskimos have created baskets from baleen, a keratinous substance from the mouths of plankton-eating whales. Although not as prevalent as ivory, baleen basketry significantly supports the livelihoods of weavers in arctic villages in Alaska. Collectors of Alaskan Native art highly seek these baskets, with contemporary weavers producing beautifully shaped, finely woven pieces, some featuring multicolored baleen. Today, there are only a handful of people who weave baleen baskets and in limited areas. Most baskets are twined. The baleen is stripped, soaked in water and then woven. Typically, weavers start these round baskets with an ivory disc at the bottom, which has holes around its periphery. They then finish the top with an ivory or bone ornamenting the lid, often adorned with finial figures. Only Alaskan Natives are allowed to harvest and use baleen.