Title
Billiken
Date20th Century
Mediumwhale ivory
Dimensions4 1/8 × 1 1/2 × 2 in. (10.5 × 3.8 × 5.1 cm)
Donor credit lineKendall Whaling Museum Collection Transfer
Object number2001.100.2254
Institutional Credit LineCourtesy of the New Bedford Whaling Museum
DescriptionSperm whale tooth, recto relief-carved in the image of a billiken with monochrome highlights. Verso: polished, undecorated.The billikin was introduced in 1908 and was enthusiastically adopted by carvers. It also became the nickname and signature of the master artist Billy "Billiken" Komoneseok [Kamoneseok] (1889-1941), active at Wales, Alaska.
Ref: Dorothy Jean Ray, " Art: Tradition and Innovation in North Alaska" (Seattle and London: University of Washington Press, / Henry Gallery, 1977), 45ff.
See: #S-1852 (2001.100.2240), a billikin ashtray); #P-M 311-A, sheet music "The Billiken Man," 1909; and works by Billy Billiken, a cribbage board (S-1866 / 2001.100.2255), and umbrella handle (S-1964 / 2001.100.2305).ProvenanceBrought home to Washington State as an Alaskan souvenir by a serviceman returning from World War II; acquired in Olympia, 1996. Sherburn Antiques, Olympia, Washington, 09/16/1996, $120.00
On View
Not on view
Komoneseok, Billy "Billiken" (same as Billy Kamoneseok)
Komoneseok, Billy "Billiken" (same as Billy Kamoneseok)
Komoneseok, Billy "Billiken" (same as Billy Kamoneseok)
Post 1908
Happy Jack (Angokwazhuk), School of
Circa 1910
