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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Carved Walrus Tusk
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Carved Walrus Tusk

Artifact IDMO 2007.767
Object Type Carving
Maker
Gifter
Date1941
Mediumivory
Dimensionsoverall H 2 in x W 29 1/4 in x D 3 1/2 in (5.1 cm x 74.3 cm x 8.9 cm )
Physical DescriptionA walrus tusk with carved images of animals, human figures, and a large, lizard-like creature with eight arms and two legs. The creature may depict an Abaasy, a mythical demon. Indecipherable carved writing is on the widest end of the tusk, along with the year "1941". The entire tusk appears to have been coated with a clear substance. It is possibly a Yakut piece.
Historical NoteVice President Henry A. Wallace presented this carved tusk to President Roosevelt as a Christmas gift on December 24, 1944. Wallace had acquired the tusk during a trip to Siberia in the fall of 1944. The tusk is on display in FDR’S PRIVATE STUDY in the Permanent Exhibit.
Additional Details
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPersonal Possessions of the Roosevelt Family (National Archives Identifier 782689)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
On view
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