 Yup’ik or Inuit/Inupiat people, Alaska or Canada George Omnik (American, 1905 – 1978), Point Hope, Alaska Covered Basket, c. 1960-70 coiled baleen, whale ivory, pigments Gift of Florence Hendrycy, 1982 (5033.1) Baleen is the keratinous substance from the mouths of filter-feeding whales that
gathers plankton and krill from the seawater for consumption. Baleen has long been
used by native Arctic peoples to make containers, sled runners, fish line, lashing, and
nets. Coiled baleen baskets are a recent adaptation from traditional coiled willow-root
baskets. First produced by men in the early 20th century, predominantly for the tourist
market, the baskets are woven while the baleen is submerged in water to keep it
pliable. |