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Alaska Eskimo Inuit Carved Antler Billiken

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:30.00 USD Estimated At:60.00 - 130.00 USD
Alaska Eskimo Inuit Carved Antler Billiken
SOLD
150.00USD+ (37.50) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2018 Aug 26 @ 14:30UTC-7 : PDT/MST
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Vintage Alaska Eskimo hand carved figure of Billiken. Whales tooth carved as a depiction of a Billiken character. Billiken depictions began to be carved in Alaska in the early 20th century, after the patent was developed in Missouri. 3.5" high. This piece is very well done, unsigned, carved and hand painted from a sperm whale tooth. "The Billiken is a charm doll created by an American art teacher and illustrator, Florence Pretz of Kansas City, Missouri, who is said to have seen the mysterious figure in a dream. It is believed that Pretz found the name Billiken in Bliss Carman's 1896 poem Mr. Moon: A Song Of The Little People. In 1908, she obtained a design patent on the ornamental design of the Billiken, which she sold to the Billiken Company of Chicago. Billiken is known as "The God of Things As They Ought to Be." To buy a Billiken was said to give the purchaser luck, but to have one given would be better luck. The image was copyrighted and a trademark was put on the name. After a few years of popularity, like other fad toys, the Billiken faded into obscurity. (courtesy, Deja Vu Antiques and Collectables) Date: City: State: Alaska HWAC# 76628