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SKU: 5231-402

5 Ivory Bilikins Set

$2,500.00

Shipping calculated at checkout.

Early/Mid 20th Century

(A) 3.375" H x 1.375" D (B) 2.75" H x 1" x 1.5" D (C) 1.875" H x .625" x .875" D (D) 1.25" H x .5" x .75" D (E) 1" H x .75" x .625" D

Hand Carved from Eskimo Ivory of 3 Small and 2 Medium Statues with Painted Black Facial Details

Excellent Condition

Ivory Billikens Statues are the famous Billiken, the "God of Things as They Ought to Be," a popular good-luck charm figure created in the early 1900s. Designed in 1908 by American art teacher and illustrator Florence Pretz in Kansas City, Missouri. A chubby, smiling, elf-like figure with pointed ears, often sitting with legs extended, hands on belly or knees. Early versions were made in ivory, terracotta, or composition; later mass-produced in plastic, metal, etc. Became a global mascot—most famously for Saint Louis University (SLU), where the sports teams are called the Billikens. Genuine ivory Billikens from the 1910s–1920s are collectible antiques.

Provenance:  From the Len and Toni Wood Private Collection, Laguna Beach, California

Condition: Excellent

Tribe: Eskimo - Inuit - Yup'ik

Year Range: 1900 - 1925

Region: Inuit

Dimensions: 3.38 in1.38 in2.75 in1 in1.5 in1.88 in0.63 in0.88 in1.25 in0.5 in0.75 in1 in0.75 in0.63 in

Category: Ivory, Antler & Bone Figures and Carvings

Shipping

U.S. Shipping: One Flat Rate Per Order

Every U.S. order is packed in-house at our gallery and ships insured via USPS or UPS, with signature required on delivery. You pay one flat rate for the whole order, never per item:

  • Fetishes: $8
  • Jewelry & Pottery: $15
  • All other pieces: $20

Buying from more than one category? You only pay the highest rate in your cart, so eight fetishes and a pair of earrings ship together for just $15.

Oversized Pieces

Large or heavy pieces, such as big pottery, baskets, rugs and framed art, are custom-packed and shipped at actual cost. As a guide, that's anything needing a box larger than 12" × 12" × 12" or weighing over 5 lbs. At checkout, choose Oversized – Shipping Invoiced Separately and we'll email your shipping invoice, usually within 24 hours. Contact us for an estimate before you buy.

International

International orders are welcome! We quote international shipping separately and invoice the actual postage after purchase. Contact us beforehand if you'd like an estimate.