Wednesday, October 29, 2008





















A very nice sculpture of two ivory narwhals carved out of one tusk. The dimensions are 2.25" x 1.5" x 10" ( dimensions with the narwhals tusk) . The carving originates from Pangnirtung but I do not know who the carver is.

This is a whalebone carving of a hunter with pack by Isa Piungituk from Clyde River. I am not sure about the carver as the information I have gives the name as reproduced above. I do wonder if it is the same person as Regilee Piungituk. Names are not always unique in Inuit culture. there can be variations in spelling and variations in combinations of names. The measurements are 6.5" x 8" x 9" and this carving dates from 1973. What I find attractive about whalebone carvings is the eery sense, or the mystical, spiritual sense that very often goes with a whalebone carving. Maybe it is the bone material, or maybe it is the lack of details, the vagueness of the outlines.
This carving shows nicely the heavy burden that this hunter was under while traveling. The minimal details of he face do give a good sense of the stoic nature of the traveler.


Tuesday, October 28, 2008



This is a large kayak with hunter and seal, all in ivory. The kayak is mounted on stone base and has whalebone harpoons on the back. The dimensions of the carving without the base is 12"x 1.5" x 2.5". With the base the dimensions are: 12" x 2.5" x 3.5". The carving has an authenticity sticker underneath, but I can not make out who the carver is. I do know that it originally came from Pangnirtung . A nice older piece.


One of my favorite pieces: a carving by Bessie Crow from what used to be Belcher Island. And I would have to look up what its present day name is. This is a carving of a Ptarmigan, done in steatite, a lovely, very light colored stone. To me, it resembles a bit marble, and I guess I now have upset every geologist. But, it has that quality to me. I just love Bessie Crow's pieces, particular her ptarmigan carvings. They are so simple, yet so majestic, sphinx like almost. This particular ptarmigan, that I have held on to for a long time, measures 2.5" x 5.5" x 3.25"
Ok, what to say. Somehow, this carving speaks to me. But I haven't figured out yet how it speaks to me. Images that come to mind: James Dean, Elvis Presley, Punker, Rock and Roll, Grease, you name it. Now the serious stuff. The carving is by George Pilurtut from Kangiqsujuac and the title is straight forward: " Head with snow goggles " It is a serpentine stone measuring 3" x 2" x 3.5" and dates from 2003. Another association I have is Atanarjuat, the Fast Runner. I honestly don't know where the associations come from. Maybe this one is just: " Head with snow goggles " . Period.
This sweetheart is basking in the sun, catching a bit of warmth. It is a lovely ivory carving of a seal on a serpentine base. I don't know much about this carving except that it is signed underneath and is probably from before 1980. The ivory has a lovely old yellowish patina to it which does not show well in the picture. The carving is only 3" x 1.5" x 1"
I guess the fish is caught and it is time to go show off. Levi Qumak has carved this standing man holding a seal. The sculpture makes me think a bit about an inukshuk, at least I think there is an resemblance. The carving is 3.5" x 1.5" x 5.5' in a grey mottled stone and comes from Inukjuak.