Statuette en ivoire marin, Eskimo, Alaska, ca. 1800

Charles Ratton, Paris
Collection privée, acquis de ce dernier en 1977

Good condition overall. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Cette statuette masculine, de dimension exceptionelle, se distingue comme l'une des plus belles du corpus. Selon Dorothy Jean Ray (Eskimo Art: Tradition and Innovation in North Alaska, 1977, p. 110 et fig. 44 à 47) à propos de la collection de figurines en ivoire de morse de l'United States National Museum (Smithsonian Institution, Washington), elles étaient le plus souvent utilisées comme poupées par les enfants, et à l'origine habillées. Elle se singularise par le détail des labrets ponctuant les joues, et par la parure en calotte apparaissant  très rarement sur les ivoires de cette période et de cette région.

Charles Ratton fut à Paris l'un des premiers amateurs et collectionneurs d'ivoires Eskimo, auxquels il consacra, en 1935, l'exposition "Masques et ivoires anciens esquimaux et de la cote N.-O. Amérique".