Uses for Ivory Figurines

These small ivory figurines could be used for many different purposes, such as dolls, charms, amulets, or personal decorations.

Charms were used to influence a hunted animal or to direct destiny in a way provided by the power of a charm. Charms, especially for whaling, were inherited. Charms were often located in various places in the home, sometimes hung from lamps, and outdoors, near houses.

An amulet, which was a more personal object, was worn as protection against bad spirits, or to bring luck. A person was likely to wear several amulets at once, since each had a specific use. Amulets were usually received as a child from an adult. Amulets of humans were hung from the back between the shoulderblades, at the neck, or sewn into clothing.

However, not all of these figurines were used for religious purposes, many were used as toys, or dolls, and in historic times, numerous figurines were produced for sale to outsiders.