Gambling figurines

Five game pieces carved in the shape of birds. Most likely loons. They were used by adults as well as children. This type of figurine was common on St. Lawrence Island and throughout Alaska.

According to E.W. ^Hawkes1. “This game, called Tingmia’gah (or Tingmia’yax), was played with these small marine ivory bird figurines. The players were seated around a tanned sealskin. The little sculptures were picked up, shaken and thrown into the air.

When they fell, those left standing belonged to the player. The player with the highest number of figurines was declared the winner. “¹

Game figurine 31 could also be used as a hunting amulet, attached to clothing by means of a hole drilled in the back of the animal.
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1- E.W. Hawkes. The Labrador eskimo. 1916 Memoir 91. N°14 Anthropology series.

Government Printing Bureau, Ottawa, Canada. p.122

Price :
27- SOLD
28-280€
29-SOLD
30-320€
31-680€