A Rare Pair of ‘Snow Goggles’

Epoque: 8th Century AD

Origine: Punuk Culture

Medium: walrus ivory

Dimension: 13 cm (5¹/₈ inches)

Provenance: European Private collection 
Ex Patrick Mestdagh Gallery, Brussels 
Ex Private European collection

Literature: The Eskimo are the most dispersed indigenous group globally, spanning approximately 4,000 miles primarily along the northern peripheries of the American and Russian continents. Their 3,000-year-old culture is distinct and not shared with any other sub-polar peoples, such as the Lapps. Their nomadic lifestyle instilled in them an extraordinary resilience in preserving their culture over vast distances.
     Snow blindness is a debilitating and excruciating condition that poses an occupational hazard for Arctic hunters. The retina of the eye is damaged by excessive ultraviolet radiation reflected from snow-covered landscapes. The use of goggles effectively reduces the amount of light entering the eye.