VTG Shishmaref AK Art Tribal Style Carved Fossilized Composite Sculpture B JONES For Sale
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VTG Shishmaref AK Art Tribal Style Carved Fossilized Composite Sculpture B JONES:
$1499.00
Vintage Arctic Style Hand-Carved Fossilized Composite Sculpture - Dual Face Shaman Motif by BILL JONESRequired Artisan & Tribal SpecificationARTISAN: BILL JONES
TRIBAL AFFILIATION: INUPIAT (SHISHMAREF, ALASKA)
Note: This information is presented in prominent typography in strict compliance with the Indian Arts and Crafts Act and platform regulations.
Item SpecificsAesthetic / Style: Alaskan Arctic Tribal Style
Primary Medium: Natural Aged Fossilized Composite
Accent Medium: Smooth Natural Composite Material Inlay
Dimensions: H: 12" /L: 19" / W: 8.5"
Subject Matter: Shamanic Transformation & Wildlife Companions
Originality: Original, Artist-Inscribed Studio Work
Year Created: 1972 (Inscribed by artist on base)
This exceptional, authentic artifact is an intricate exploration of northern spiritual themes, showcases remarkable dimensional artistry, and utilizes the heavy, dramatic natural geometry of fossilized organic Compoosite structure.
Dual-Face Transformation MotifSide A (The Sun Mask): Features a stylized face intricately carved directly into the high-texture, porous grain of the composite core. It is enveloped by a deeply grooved, radiant radiating hood representing spiritual power or the sun. The eyes feature a smooth, white contrast inlay with dark pupils.
Side B (The Inset Mask): Features a contrasting, smooth-carved facial insert positioned inside the porous textured hood. This inset face features crisp, clean lines, detailed brow definitions, and highly expressive features displaying a visible tooth line.
The sculpture spans horizontally with two arms extending directly out from the central base.
Each arm terminates in a beautifully rendered animal head (depicting a polar seal or bear profile) pointing outward.
Both terminal animal profiles feature perfectly set inlaid eyes on both sides of the muzzle, marrying smooth artistry with the structural composite grain.
The entire piece is sculpted around the natural hollow archway of an organic skeletal segment. The cavernous negative space underneath lets backlighting filter through beautifully when displayed.
The structural underside bears clear, hand-incised artist hallmarks reading: "Bill Jones / Shishmaref, AK / 1972" along with a studio catalogue number designation.
This is a vintage estate piece from 1972. It is in excellent structural condition, showing gorgeous natural amber and cream-colored patination earned over decades of aging. A fine hairline age fracture is visible on the smooth inset face mask, which is entirely stable and characteristic of genuine, aged natural composite mediums. Please inspect all macro photos closely to view the incredible organic variation and technical mastery of this artifact.
About the ArtistBILL JONES (Inupiaq, b. 1959)Born May 3rd, 1959, in the coastal village of Shishmaref, Alaska, Bill Jones is a highly respected and internationally collected Inupiaq carver. He began his artistic journey in the 1970s learning from village elders, expanding his mastery from soapstone into fossilized composite and natural aged matrix.Married to the notable Alaska Native doll artist Ruby Eningowuk, Jones is a vital figure in his community, having served over twenty years as a village police officer and as a city council member. Today, Jones is celebrated globally by museums and fine art galleries specifically for his premier vertebrae carvings. His unique ability to marry the porous, complex structure of large organic composite with hyper-precise composite inlay sets his work apart as some of the finest contemporary Northwest Arctic art data-path-to-node="2">⚖️ REQUIRED LEGAL COMPLIANCE
Legal Disclaimer: Authentic Alaska Native handicraft hand-carved by enrolled Inupiaq artisan Bill Jones of Shishmaref, AK, utilizing legally harvested aged materials compliant with federal trade regulations and the ARTIST Act.
SHIPPING RESTRICTIONS: UNITED STATES SHIPPING ONLY. Absolutely no international shipping, including Canada. This item contains aged natural components protected under U.S. Federal Law. It cannot and will not be shipped outside of the United States under any circumstances.
Delivery Note: This item will be packed with professional, industrial-grade cushioning and shipped fully insured with signature confirmation required upon delivery.
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