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Buying Alaska Native Art

Six Savvy Shopping Tips -provided by the Anchorage Museum.

Native-made arts and crafts are beautiful and distinctive reminders of a well-enjoyed trip to Alaska. Take home a beloved piece of Alaskan culture by knowing what to look for in authentic Native art.

• Check for Authenticity
  The shop or gallery where you purchase a piece should be able to tell you the artist’s name, cultural background, village or region of origin. Look for the Silver Hand Emblem – a respected endorsement that symbolizes authentic Alaska Native handicrafts.

• Look for Mastery of Technique
  In baskets, for example, the tighter the weave and more symmetrical the shape, the higher quality the piece.

• Notice the Piece’s “Finish.”
  Carvings – whether ivory, wood, whalebone or soapstone – should have a finish that is appropriate to the piece. Smooth or textured, the finish should enhance the look of the piece.

• Look for a Clean Design
  An item carefully made enhances its design. Stitches should be neat on beadwork and skin-sewing, such as dolls.

• Materials Should be Legal
  Things used in creating the piece, such as feathers on masks, should be legal to own. Most Native-made pieces feature ptarmigan, turkey or pheasant feathers, which comply with the Migratory Bird Act. Eagle and duck feathers do not.

• Notice Tradition or Innovation
  Some pieces – like carvings of mythical animals or figures hunting, fishing or dancing – reflect the tradition of artist’s culture and stand as hallmarks of a particular heritage. Others, like many whalebone sculptures, showcase innovation by incorporating contemporary sculptural shapes into a traditional art medium.

While the above are good points to keep in mind, people should not discredit their own feelings about a piece of art.

Alaska Native arts and crafts are featured in several galleries throughout Anchorage, as well as Anchorage museums and cultural centers.