float;
hunting equipment
- Museum number
- Am1993,13.15
- Description
-
Whaling float, 'avataqpuk' made from a whole seal skin. The valves for blowing it up are of fossil walrus ivory, and are inserted, and tied, from the inside so that the air pressure keeps them in place. This float has the seal hair left on; the skin has been turned inside out so that the hair is on the inside.
- Production date
- 1992
- Dimensions
-
Length: 110 centimetres
-
Width: 55 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- Eth.Doc.1573. This was made by Angie Koonook for her husband Luke, for his whaling boat, in 1992, used for two seasons, but no whales struck, so it never went in the water. It was purchased on 26/10/1993. Other examples of whaling float valves are made inner tyre valves, so that the seal skin can be inflated with a bicycle pump. In making these floats great care has to be taken during the deboning and deheading of the seal to ensure that the skin is in no place damaged.(JCK,1994).
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1993
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- Am1993,13.15