Native Art for New Markets         

As Americans and others visited and moved to Alaska beginning in the 19^th century, Alaska Natives produced and sold artwork for their consumption. While this art was intended for a different purpose, it was often indistinguishable in style and quality from objects used within the culture for utility and ceremony. In other cases, artists felt freer to explore new motifs, styles, colors, and ideas. The museum is especially interested in collecting such items for which the provenance is known--especially the artist, date, collector, and place of collection.

Model Bidarka
Made at Katmai in 1897. A double-cockpit kayak of walrus ivory, with two figures wearing spruce root hats. The front figure is spearing a sea otter. Collected by Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff, first full-time curator of the museum from 1919-1940.
2001-10-6

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Web Posted March 2005