What is an Oosik?

Oosik is a term used in Native Alaska cultures to describe the bacula of walruses, seals, sea lions and polar bears. In 2007, a 4.5 ft-long (1.4 m) fossilized penis bone from an extinct species of walrus, believed by the seller to be the largest in existence, was sold for $8,000.

Is a walrus Oosik ivory?

Oosik (pronounced “oooh sick”) is a term used in Native Alaska cultures to describe the baculum of walruses, seals, sea lions, and polar bears. The baculum is a bone found in the penis of most mammals. This spectacular oosik has carved Walrus ivory end caps and baleen accents.

What is an USIK?

Verb. usik (Jawi spelling اوسيق, used in the form mengusik) (transitive) to disturb (confuse or irritate)

What animal has the largest baculum?

walrus
The largest baculum in the mammal kingdom belongs to the walrus, which can reach a length of 30 inches (75 cm): as long as a human femur! Even large dogs have a 10 cm baculum!

How much is a walrus tusk of ivory worth?

True ivory walrus tusks can be hard to come by; and as of July 2011, those that are legally sold can be worth as little as $100 or in some forms as much as $50,000.

Why do people lose Penisbones?

The study’s lead author Matilda Brindle told The Independent one of the reasons humans had lost their penis bone was because we do not have sex for long enough to need one.

Is it legal to own ivory?

It is now illegal to sell or have the intent to sell ANY IVORY within the State of California or to sell it to any bidders within the State of California REGARDLESS OF THE AGE of the ivory.

What is the current price of ivory?

The price currently paid for raw ivory in Asia, according to an investigation by the Wildlife Justice Commission, is currently between $597/kg and $689/kg, in U.S. dollars. Ivory sourced in Africa and sold in Asia has additional costs such as transportation, taxes and broker commissions.

What animal has the largest Baculum?

Does real ivory turn yellow?

Over time, ivory darkens and/or turns yellow in color and develops surface coloring called a patina. This change is color is an indicator if its age and thus affects the value of the piece and should not be removed. If a cleaner is applied and the coloring is altered, you risk losing the value.

What makes ivory so valuable?

Q: What makes ivory so precious? It has no intrinsic value, but its cultural uses make ivory highly prized. In Africa, it has been a status symbol for millennia because it comes from elephants, a highly respected animal, and because it is fairly easy to carve into works of art.