Tlingit Shaman's Amulet,  Southeastern Alaska, ca 1820 -1870 A.D.

Carved from sea mammal bone and in the form of a mythical creature this powerful amulet would have been used in ceremony.  The "Sea Wolf" shows features of both Wolf and Sea Creature.  Carved two sided and three dimensionally. A natural protrusion of the bone has been transformed into the ear.  Tally marks are present on the underside and the zoomorphic figure is perforated for suspension.  Length 8 1/2 in. (21.5 cm.)