Date

after 1935

Materials

Stone

Description

Grey Inuit "soapstone" carving of female motif. Sculpture is rounded and not polished. Tool markings/scratches throughout majority of surface. Round head. Hair is raised from head with little lines carved to form hair, and hair part carved down back of head. Curved line across forehead for crease. Downturned almond eyes carved into eye sockets, along with long nose and pressed lips. Body is asymmetrical, with proper right arm longer and leaner, and proper left arm wider and shorter. No defined hands. Upper curved line separates body from legs, horizontal line in middle of legs may be to define boots. Women has large bump in back defined by carving, possibly wearing an amauti (Inuit parka with built in baby pouch) or some sort of bag. "V" shaped carving on upper back. Bottom of feet are inscribed with disk number and Inuit syllabics. There are red, yellow, green, and black discolouration and or stains on the carving. 
The bottom of the carving's feet are inscribed with syllabics and a disk number. The last number of the disk number is slightly unclear. Based on the artist's style, it is believed that the disk number is E1 -129 and the artist is Nancy Kablutsiak Tasseor. The hairline and hair details seen in this figure are a common style across her carvings. She commonly carves figures and focuses on the theme of the family, especially mother and child. Nancy is an Inuk sculpture artist from Arviat, Nunavut born in 1935. The stone in Arviat can be difficult to carve, and often leads to a more simplistic style of carving. This carving is larger and has slightly more details than other carvings from the community. Truncated arms and limited facial details are common for the region.

Marks/Labels

E1-129 - Believe this is the disk number carved on the bottom foot. It could also be E1-121 or E1 124. Based on artist style it is believed to be E1 - 129. 

ᑲᐯᐱᐃ - Carved on bottom of other foot

Accession number on back of feet. 

Category

Carving