Production Techniques

The most popular medium for sculpture, both in the past and now, is walrus ivory. Walrus is a major source of both food and other resources for Eskimos and is more abundant than many other animals.

Carving is generally done by men in Eskimo communities. Many different tools are used to shape and sculpt the ivory figures, however, two tools are unique to traditional Eskimo communities: the adz and the bow drill.

The adz, which is used to strip the tough exterior from an ivory tusk, is now made with a steel ax blade hafted to a driftwood handle.

The bow drill, a unique tool, is constructed to the carver always has one hand free to hold the piece of ivory. It consists of a shaft made of hickory or spruce driftwood, has a mouthpiece at the top end, which is held in the carver's mouth. The shaft is propelled by a bow made of curved bone and thong.