Date

June 9 1968

Materials

Stone, Ivory

Description

"Soapstone" and ivory carving of two walruses and an Inuk man. Polished. Man is carrying one walrus on his back by a strap attached to the walrus' tail and running over the man's neck/chest. Man is bending over the second walrus and holding it by its neck and head. Man's face is intricately carved and expressive with details for wide-set round eyes, wrinkles underneath, large round nose, and large lips slightly parted. Small seal/walrus with a circular pattern, whiskers, and lines for flipper details carved into man's forehead. Line across his forehead below animal carving. Man's head has a carving around it indicating a hood. Walruses have ivory carved tusks inserted. One tusk on the back walrus is broken in half, and the other walrus has one tusk broken and missing - originally noted Aug 2014. 

Carving is attached to base (a) by means of two holes on the bottom of the walruses used for inserting wooden dowels as seen on base (a). 
 
Numbers are carved into the base that appears to be "1032". This artwork may be by Josepie Ningiok Kupirkrualuk, whose associated disk number is E9-1032. Josepie is from Salluit, Quebec. His carvings focus on the theme of hunting, often featuring an Inuk figure with an animal(s). 

This carving is attached to a base with a plaque that reads "Presented by Kinistino Lodge No. 1 To Rt. Hon. John Diefenbaker June 9-1968". Kinistino Lodge No. 1 (previously Kinistino Lodge #16) is a freemasonry lodge located in Prince Albert that is under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan. John G. Diefenbaker was a freemason with the lodge. He was initiated on September 11th, 1922 with Wakaw Lodge #166. He affiliated with Kinistino Lodge No.1 on May 7, 1926 and continued his membership with the lodge for the remainder of his life. 

Marks/Labels

Numbers carved on bottom: possibly "1032"

Accession number in white on bottom of carving. 

Category

Carving