A stunning example of a fossilized Mastodon (Mammut americanum) tooth dating approximately 11-30 million years ago during the Late Miocene to Late Pleistocene epochs. The tooth characteristically features high ridges (Mastodon means "nipple tooth") beneficial for a diet heavy in woody sticks, twigs, brush, and other fibrous items requiring aggressive chewing and grinding. Excavated from the Peace River area of Florida, circa the 1960s, this lower molar tooth remains attached to a sizeable portion of the mandible, as shown. Close examination of one end reveals a significant portion of root, as well as the fossilized inner bone matrix. Specimen measures approximately 14" x 6.5" x 10" tall with a weight of 17lb, 9.7oz, or 7.986 kilograms—an impressive and very scarce specimen, displaying a wonderful array of colors the area is known for.

An extraordinary example of natural history, this narwhal (Monodon monoceros) tusk measures an impressive 99.5 inches in length, placing it near the absolute upper limits of tusk growth and ranking as the largest specimen known to us recorded to appear at public auction in decades. Such size alone distinguishes this piece, but its impeccable provenance and rare transactable status elevate it further. The tusk displays an excellent spiraling form accented by a modest patina and remains completely original with intact tip. One small stable natural stress crack near the base is noted, as photographed, in no way detracting from the object. This tusk is accompanied by its original invoice from the esteemed Danish auction house Arne Bruun Rasmussen, dated February 7, 1978. At that time, it was cataloged as an antique drawn from a pre-1920 Danish collection. When subsequently imported into the United States, it was formally recognized as being grandfathered under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 due to its pre-Act history. As a result, it stands today as one of the exceedingly few narwhal tusks that may be legally sold and transferred within the U.S., supported by full documentation of its chain of custody. Auction comparables of this caliber are exceptionally rare. The closest example is a 98.75-inch tusk sold in 2013 in London, which achieved nearly $48,000 USD. More recent sales highlight the rising market demand for these rarities, including a 76.5-inch tusk sold for over $37,500 in Windsor, CT, circa January 2025, and a 60-inch tusk bringing in excess of $23,200 in Nantucket, MA, circa August 2025. Beyond their rarity in the marketplace, narwhal tusks hold a special place in cultural history. In Renaissance Europe, they were treasured as the fabled “unicorn horn,” believed to possess magical and medicinal powers. Perhaps the most famous example is the elaborately mounted tusk presented to Queen Elizabeth I of England in the 16th century, valued at the time as the equivalent of a castle. These enduring associations underscore the longstanding fascination and reverence afforded to such objects. Please note that this lot cannot be shipped internationally, and select states have their own prohibitive laws. Do not bid if you are outside of the United States or within a state that has restrictive laws. Note Regarding Shipping Services: This item is exceptionally large and/or heavy, and may require custom boxing or crating depending on the intended destination and available carrier services. For more information prior to bidding, please email us at Shipping@AlaskaPremierAuctions.com or call/text us at 907.570.7050.

A fine and early Tlingit formline sterling silver cuff, the primary design being a bear, by the late Tlingit artisan, Edward "Ed" James, of Sitka, AK. Unfortunately, not much historical information is immediately known regarding Ed's life, other than he worked in a variety of mediums alongside his father, Frank James, and was noted as being most active during the 1930s and 1940s. The cuff is impressive at approximately 2" wide, weighs 48.63 grams, and presently fits a 6.5" wrist as found, but is naturally adjustable.

A fine and early Tlingit formline sterling silver cuff, featuring primary designs of a bear and raven, crafted by the late Tlingit artisan Edward "Ed" James of Sitka, AK. Unfortunately, not much historical information is immediately known regarding Ed's life, other than he worked in a variety of mediums alongside his father, Frank James, and was noted as being most active during the 1930s and 1940s. The cuff is impressive, measuring approximately 2.75" wide and weighing 65.83 grams, and currently fits a 7" wrist as found, but is naturally adjustable.

A rare survivor of the Pleistocene epoch, this walrus skull (Odobenus rosmarus) was recovered from thawing permafrost in Northwest Alaska, within the same stratigraphic layers that have yielded mammoth and other great Ice Age megafauna for the original finding party, an Alaska Native resident fossil hunting on private lands. The specimen displays richly mottled hues of orange and brown, the result of long mineralization within frozen ground over thousands of years. Such coloration adds to its visual appeal and distinguishes it as both a scientific and aesthetic treasure. The skull retains an impressive set of tusks, each extending to about 21 inches in length, with the skull itself measuring approximately 13.5 x 9 x 8 inches. The tusks are not permanently affixed, allowing the final owner to craft a mounting that best suits their needs. A loosely applied layer of shrinkwrap was wrapped around the tusk dentine to hold them in place for photographic purposes. While walrus remains from historic hunting are occasionally encountered, fossilized examples from Ice Age deposits are exceedingly scarce, particularly in this level of preservation with intact tusks. Their rarity is amplified by the challenging conditions of permafrost recovery and the limited window of opportunity before natural decay sets in once exposed.

A well-crafted piece of Tlingit or Haida regalia, this late 20th-century headdress features a woven body reminiscent of historic Chilkat weavings, adorned by a carved cedar eagle form frontlet. It is further accented with abalone and beaver fur trim. The piece remains in very good condition, measuring approximately 12" wide and 8" tall, not including the dangling cordage.

This is a classic piece of mid-20th-century Alaskan jewelry — a gentleman’s ring that combines rugged materials with timeless style. The band is crafted in 10 karat yellow gold and set with a rectangular cut of rich green Kobuk jade, a stone long prized in Alaska for its depth of color. At the center sits a natural gold nugget, with additional placer nuggets decorating each side of the shank, giving the piece a distinctly Alaskan character. The ring is a size 10.5 and weighs approximately 15.5 grams. Both wearable and collectible, it’s a striking example of how local miners and craftsmen turned the treasures of Alaska’s rivers and mountains into lasting works of adornment.

Carved from walrus tusk, this rare effigy arrowshaft straightener artifact features a central diamond-shaped cutout, extending into a long neck terminating in the stylized head of a bear or caribou with protruding eyes. The surface displays a darkened patina with erosion consistent with age and excavation. Measures approximately 6.25" long, 2" wide. Provenance: The Paul and Mary Thiry Collection, Seattle, Washington. Illustrated in Eskimo Artifacts Designed for Use, Paul and Mary Thiry, 1977, p. 271.

This hand-carved wooden bowl, with its gently sloping sides, flat base, and carefully incised grooves along the interior and exterior walls, reflects the understated yet meticulous design sensibility of the Chugach peoples of southcentral Alaska. The measured proportions and subtle decorative elements demonstrate a balance of utility and refinement characteristic of Chugach craftsmanship. Measuring approximately 17.5 inches in length, 10.25 inches in width, and 3.25 inches in height, the piece stands as a rare survival of a functional object imbued with cultural meaning. Wooden artifacts from the Chugach and neighboring communities of the Kenai Peninsula and Prince William Sound are of considerable rarity. The Chugach, a seafaring people whose ancestral territories encompassed the fjords, islands, and coastal inlets of Prince William Sound, developed a rich material tradition adapted to their maritime environment. Despite the centrality of wood in daily life, relatively few examples of wooden vessels dating to the 19th century or earlier have endured, owing to both the fragility of the medium and the harsh northern climate. The present example, preserved with remarkable integrity, offers an invaluable glimpse into the everyday artistry of the Chugach—an Indigenous community whose heritage is deeply tied to the coastal landscapes and marine resources of southern Alaska. Its survival underscores the cultural importance of such vessels as both practical tools and as expressions of an aesthetic tradition shaped by environment, subsistence, and identity. Provenance: The Robert and Nancy Nooter Collection

This late 19th-century bentwood cup is distinguished by a carved handle in the form of a caribou, an animal central to the lifeways of the Yup’ik people. Shaped from a single strip of steamed wood and bent into form, the vessel combines practical function with careful artistry. The carved animal element affirms the deep relationship between people and the beings that sustained them, a reminder that objects made for daily use could also carry layers of meaning. The cup reflects a tradition in which form and decoration were not separate from utility, but integral to it. Caribou provided food, clothing, and tools, and their presence in design embodied respect and acknowledgment of reciprocity. Wooden cups of this period are rare survivals, as they were heavily used and often lost to time and climate. Measures approximately 8" long, 3.75" tall. Provenance: The Robert and Nancy Nooter Collection

A late 19th-century Yup’ik ladle, distinguished by an oval scoop decorated with finely rendered imagery, including a salmon, a seal, and geometric design elements. At approximately 17.5 inches in length, it is an unusually large and striking example. For the Yup’ik, ladles and other household tools were not only functional, but often carried carved references to the animals and environments that sustained daily life. Here, the presence of salmon and seal imagery speaks directly to subsistence on the rivers and coasts of western Alaska, while the geometric motifs add rhythm and balance to the design. Such decoration reflects a worldview in which even ordinary tools affirmed relationships of respect and reciprocity between people and the natural world. Similar objects from this period are rare, as wooden implements were heavily used and seldom preserved in the challenging climate of Alaska. Provenance: The Robert and Nancy Nooter Collection

A pair of late 19th-century Haida candlestick holders carved in argillite, the soft black slate quarried exclusively on Haida Gwaii and worked only by Haida artists. Each stands 5 inches tall by 3 inches wide, their modest scale belying the intricacy and depth of the carving. The very fine level of craftsmanship in this pair is evident in the precise detailing, balanced proportions, and the subtle modeling of form that brings each figure to life. Both examples are fully worked on opposing sides, offering different imagery depending on orientation. One holder features an owl on one face and a raven on the reverse, while the second shows an eagle on one side and a transformation figure of a hawk-man on the other. This dual-sided approach gives each piece a dynamic presence, as they shift character depending on how they are displayed.

A well-preserved fossil tooth from the extinct giant shark Otodus megalodon, measuring 5.53 inches in length. This specimen displays fully intact sharp serrations, a bold jet-black bourlette, and an attractive color scheme ranging from deep blue to black with cream undertones. Recovered from Miocene–Pliocene marine deposits in West Java, Indonesia, it represents a striking and collectible example of one of the most iconic fossils of the prehistoric seas. Megalodon lived approximately 23 to 3.6 million years ago and is considered the largest shark to have ever existed, with adults estimated to reach lengths of up to 60 feet or more. Because shark skeletons are composed primarily of cartilage, which rarely fossilizes, teeth such as this are virtually the only surviving evidence of the species. Their preservation provides essential insights into the anatomy and scale of these ancient predators while also making them especially desirable to collectors.

A fine late 19th or early 20th century Tlingit rattletop basket crafted from woven spruce root with polychromatic geometric spiral and linework designs in shades of red and brown, crafted from natural dyes. The example remains in a very good state of preservation, retaining bright colors and minimal wear. The only noted flaws are two small breaks to the base, as photographed, which do not affect the structural integrity or displayability of the basket. Of good size, it measures approximately 7.5" in diameter and 4" tall.