Knife with iron blade and ivory handle / Native American; possibly Inuit

Essay/Description

Inuit cutting tool made from steel with an ivory handle used for skinning.

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Anthropology Item Information

©Gilcrease Museum

Title(s):

Knife with iron blade and ivory handle

Culture:

Native American; possibly Inuit

Date:

19th century

Period:

Historic

Place:

Alaska

Materials/Techniques:

iron, ivory

Classification:

Archaeological Objects

Object Type:

Ulu

Accession No:

84.1370

Department:

Anthropology

Not On View

Dimensions

Overall:

Height: 0 63/100in. (1.6cm)
Width: 3 11/32in. (8.5cm)
Length: 6 19/64in. (16.0cm)

Tags and Search Terms

Tags:

Alaska, Arctic, Eskimo, implements, Indian, Indians, Native American, 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

Knife with iron blade and ivory handle. 84.1370. 19th century. Tulsa: Gilcrease Museum, https://dci-collections.gilcrease.org/object/841370 (08/31/2017).

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