A finely modeled and cleverly designed variation on a needle case, containing a number of its original ivory needles inside it.

The head pulls off, acting as a lid for the container, and is perfectly carved to fit almost seamlessly onto the body, which is hollowed out to fit the needles in its cavity. This smiling seal shows off exactingly carved teeth, and the animal is shown in the typical swimming / flying position seen in many other representative examples. When combined with the addition of engraved decorations and circle symbols, it is safe to assume this needle case would have carried with it the similar spiritual charms and power of other amulets, in addition to keeping needles safe.

As with many other tools, this seal neatly expresses the practical and shamanistic principles in a logical and compact form. Ivory needles like the ones inside had many practical functions, and up to the present day, native women use them for sewing many sorts of garments, containers, as well as skin coverings on Umiaks and Kayaks, all of which are constructed from seal skins.