Ivory ulu handle / Native American; Inuit

Essay/Description

Possibly made from fossil ivory.

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Anthropology Item Information

©Gilcrease Museum

Title(s):

Ivory ulu handle

Culture:

Native American; Inuit

Date:

19th century

Period:

Historic

Place:

Saint Lawrence Island

Materials/Techniques:

ivory

Classification:

Archaeological Objects

Object Type:

Ulu Handle

Accession No:

83.1715

Department:

Anthropology

Not On View

Dimensions

Overall:

Height: 0 59/100in. (1.5cm)
Width: 1 3/10in. (3.3cm)
Length: 4 7/16in. (11.3cm)

Tags and Search Terms

Tags:

Alaska, Arctic, Eskimo, implements, Indian, Indians, Native American, Saint Lawrence Island, tools

Inuit women use ulu knives for numerous jobs, including skinning animals and preparing food. The curved blade allowed women to use a rocking motion when cutting, which held the cut object still and allowed for the use of only one hand.

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Cite this Page

Ivory ulu handle. 83.1715. 19th century. Tulsa: Gilcrease Museum, https://dci-collections.gilcrease.org/object/831715 (08/31/2017).

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