Medallion

This medallion is carved in sock relief on a piece of ivory cut transversely from a walrus tusk. One face is flattened and polished, while on the reverse, the outline of two walrus heads (Odobemus rosmarus: aiviq, in the Inuit language) reveals one displaying two tusks characteristic of an adult and the second, tuskless, possibly depicting an immature walrus. In the absence of further details, the latter may also represent an utjuk, or be...