Whalebone Basket with Whale Finial
by Bernard Toolie, Siberian Yup'ik
whalebone, walrus ivory
4.5” high x 5” diameter
“I grew up in Savoonga with my parents and went to school in Northeast Cape till they closed down. I learned to carve from a teacher who taught at the school when I was 16 or 17.
I carve walrus ivory and whalebone. I lived with my grandparents, Mabel and Jimmy Toolie but they both passed away at 96 and 99 years of age. I started carving as a full time job so I can make a living traditionally. My grandparents taught me how to survive for my family.” - Bernard Toolie
