Eskimo Inuit Harpoon Ice Tester Lance Head St. Lawrence Island Alaska Artifact
Item History & Price
Every Alaskan Artifact collection has to have ice testers, period. Every Yupik hunter carried a harpoon and almost every harpoon had a durable "ice tester" at its base. These allowed the hunter to test the stability and strength of the ice pack as he hunted his way across it. This basic bulletproof design is thousands of years old and this particular specimen is easily 500+ years given its dark patina. Ice testers came in many sizes and designs, this one almost looks ...like it has a facial features carved into the butt end with a brow and nose. This a great specimen and excellent representative example of the classic Ice Tester, with great patina and a unique look. Last photo is on a 1" x 1" grid. Please look at my other Alaskan Artifacts.
