Left to right: ASM II-A-3235-A, ASM II-A-3235-B, ASM II-A-3235-C, ASM II-A-3235-D, ASM II-A-3235-E, ASM II-A-4849
These six doll heads carved out of walrus ivory are the July 2024 Artifacts of the Month. The heads were likely once connected to a body made of leather or cloth.
The term “doll” denotes a plaything; however, indigenous cultures in Alaska have made human figures for over a thousand years. These ancient figures may have been toys or may have been used in sacred ceremonies or as teaching tools.
The tradition of doll-making continues today. Doll creation is an art form, and many doll makers focus on recreating the minute details of garments and equipment or posing dolls engaging in traditional activities.
II-A-3235-A through II-A-3235-E were collected by Louis L. Bales, a bear hunting guide and trader who frequently traveled among the Yup’ik of the lower Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers in the early years of the 20th century.
The doll head on the far right, II-A-4849, was purchased in 1971 from Alaska Native Arts and Crafts.
II-A-7385 is from Savoonga, donated by Ethel Montgomery in 1989. Montgomery spent many years with the museum as a volunteer and docent and gifted many objects to the museum that she had collected from the old Alaska Native Arts and Crafts store in Juneau. The doll was recently on display in the 2023 Visceral exhibit at the Alaska State Museum.
The Alaska State Museum exhibit team and Matt Bower, from the Anchorage Museum, are preparing the Yup’ik/Inupiat ivory doll heads and dolls to be on public display in a drawer in the long-term gallery.
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