Anthropomorphic figure with two faces

Reference : 5265

Mineralized walrus ivory (Odobenus rosmarus divergens).
Dimensions: height 7.1 cm
Thule Culture
Estimated date: circa 1200–1500
Bering Strait,
Alaska, USA

This curious sculpture, whose body tapers to a point (perhaps due to a functional or ritual purpose), features a dual, naturalistic face, likely representing a man and a woman.
One side is adorned with scarifications on the chin representing a tattoo.
The other side shows a smiling face. The torso is symmetrically rendered.
The tip is engraved (with ears, eyes, and a toothed mouth) to depict an animal’s head, likely a bear.

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