Inuit Anonymous
Inuit Anonymous, Large whalebone woman with knife
22 x 9 x 14 in.
Like the narwhal, this woman carved in whalebone defies the usual limitations of the medium. The subtle curve of the amauti's hood, and the undercut and graceful hem of the amauti bespeak a master carver's touch.
03708-1
Inuit Anonymous, Narwhal
14 x 17 x 7 in.
A large whalebone carving, which is simple in form but speaks of the carver's skill. Most whalebone carvers did not try to modify the basic form of the bone. The difficulty of carving whalebone made it desirable -- almost imperative -- to let the form of the bone define the shape of the carving. The outstretched flippers and the tail are understated tours de force.
03709-1
Inuit Anonymous, Seated polar bear
8 x 6 1/2 x 3 in.
This whimsical sitting bear is testimony of the artist's determination to find a bear in a broad but thin piece of stone. The head has a particularly sweet expression, and the paws are decisively sculpted. There is an indistinct signature, followed by "Inuvik, NWT."
