Perhaps the most well known example of Eskimo art is sculpture. Sculptures and carvings were more likely to survive the test of time. Most widely found are very small animal and human figurines carved out of ivory or bone. These figurines depict Alaskan animals, such as seals, walruses, whales, and birds, as well as representations of people.

These figurines had many uses in prehistoric and historic Eskimo culture, from toys to cermonial objects to items for sale and trade.

Click on the links to the left to navigate and explore how Alaskan Eskimo ivory figurines were produced, the changes that occured in ivory carving over time, the uses of ivory figurines, and examples of ivory figurines.