1928 Scrimshawed Caribou Bone Snow Knife chicago softened with gently curved edges

softened with gently curved edges

then white and green and black and reddish pink paint on top

I love the warm glow of light in this one but simultaneous sense of moodiness--and I can't help but to imagine walking through what looks like a portal into the interior of that rock formation

Sold as a lot of 13

and have kept an eye out for similar pieces since--so immediately snatched up these

1928 Scrimshawed Caribou Bone Snow Knife chicago softened with gently curved edgesAt first I took this scrimshawed blade for a letter opener, but I have since learned that it is, I believe, much more interestingly an Inuit snow knife! From what I have read, some snow knives (as I believe is most likely the case with this smallish, decorated one) were used by young girls as stylists to draw pictures in the snow, with these being passed down from older to younger girls. Other snow knives were used as tools for cutting hard packed