Toggle in the Form of a Bear Head

Browse the collection

Toggle in the Form of a Bear Head

A small toggle carved in the form of a bear head. The ears and facial features are lightly indicated.

Culture Old Bering Sea

Title Toggle in the Form of a Bear Head

Date 200 BCE–300 CE

Medium Sperm whale ivory

Dimensions Mount: 7/16 × 1 1/16 × 1 1/4 in. (1.1 × 2.7 × 3.2 cm)
Object: 5/8 × 9/16 × 13/16 in. (1.6 × 1.4 × 2.1 cm)
Overall (includes mount): 1 1/8 × 1 1/16 × 1 1/4 in. (2.9 × 2.7 × 3.2 cm)

Credit Line Raymond and Laura Wielgus Collection, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University

Accession Number 2010.44

Share this artwork!

About this Work

The beautifully carved toggle is in the form of a delicate polar bear head. Animals such as whales, seals, and walruses were all significant to the people of the Old Bering Sea, and it is the bones and teeth of these animals that were used in the carvings.

Provenance
More Details

Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.

Viewing Information
This artwork is currently off display. You may be able to see this artwork by filling out an art viewing room request.

Request this Image
The Eskenazi Museum of Art provides images of its collection, free of charge, upon request. This artwork is under copyright protection. You can request the image and it will be emailed to you when the request is complete.

Cite this Page
"Toggle in the Form of a Bear Head | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=2010.44