Featured Help with a carved stone (?) walrus signed.

I got this little guy in an auction lot yesterday. He is heavy and I think he is carved from stone. Any thoughts on what type of stone? He is signed on the bottom. Where do you think he from? I appreciate any advice or opinions on what I have. He is cute and is 2 1/2" wide from tusk to tail and 1 1/2" high at the head. The black line on the one side you can feel with a fingernail, do you think it is a crack or a flaw in the stone? Thanks in advance for looking.

 

It's walrus tusk.

 

So he's ivory. I didn't expect it ivory would be so heavy. I guess he stays with me.
Thanks Hollyblue.

 

I am still curious about the carver and where he might be from. I understand that it can't be sold but would like to know its origins.

 

Googling L. Ahkinga, there are several references to Inuit carvers on Diomede and Little Diomede Islands in Alaska with the Ahkinga name.

"Walrus ivory: Import or export requires a permit. Sale legal if ivory is “pre-Act” under the MMPA (acquired before 1972) or is a product purchased within the U.S. that qualifies as an authentic Alaskan Native handicraft."
https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/news-attached-files/factsheet-can-i-sell-it.pdf

 

yup...yup...yup & yup.........I concur !!!

the crack is of no concern !

 

It is a natural fissure in the tooth material. Not exactly desirable, but as @komokwa said, of no concern. If anything, evidence of the genuineness of the tusk.

 

Quite an elegant little carving, in my opinion.

 

and the marbling of the inner tusk is quite nice too !

 

Thank you everyone. I really appreciate your knowledge and help. I am glad to know it is Alaskan. I am not going to attempt to sell it as I think it would be risky on Ebay. I think it is quite sweet and I will give it a good home.

 

I've heard that core material referred to as 'Cracked Ice'.

 

Flat out adorable little guy! Love these kind of carvings.