Walrus Ivory Belt Buckle Bracelet

     This is a fossil Walrus ivory tusk belt buckle bracelet that was handcrafted be a Native Alaska Eskimo in the late 30s to early 40s. The tusk was not taken from a live animal. It was a tusk that was found on the beach. Looking at the edges of the butterfly’s wings you will see dark makings. This only happens to Walrus tusk when the tusk lies on the beach for a long period with saltwater washing up on it and the sun beating down on it for a number of years. Walrus tusk keep growing throughout their lives and they only loss their tusk after death. The bracelet may have been crafted in this time range, but the walrus had died many years before the tusk was found and the bracelet was crafted. The two wings are wired to the body and the stripes are leather with a belt-buckle clasp design. The metal looks like it was gold plated, if so a lot of the gold has been worn off when the bracelet was being worn. There is no hallmark on the bracelet or gold identification marks. The buckle clasp is in good working condition. The wings are cross cut section of the tusk and the outer edge of the wings was the outer edge of the tusk. It shows that it was worn a lot at one time. The clap is the belt buckle type. The Craftsman’s tool marks can be seen on the ivory. It has no damages and is a great piece of history. Other than that, it is in excellent condition with no cracks, chips, necks, scratches, repairs, fleabites, or stains.