Lot 140
140
AN ESKIMO WOOD SEAL EFFIGY SNUFF BOX

Details
AN ESKIMO WOOD SEAL EFFIGY SNUFF BOX
Of oval form with tapering edges extending upwards in the form of seal's head and tail painted black, pierced at tail, low relief of flippers, the lid as a face with arched brows, slit eyes, nose and downturned mouth painted red 5¾in. (14.5cm.) long

Lot Essay

Such containers were made for Eskimo women of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta to store snuff and are often carved in animal forms with lid in the shape of a human face (see Fitzhugh and Kaplan 1982, p. 166, no. 200).