Date

after 1934

Materials

Stone

Description

"Soapstone" carving of a walrus. Polished and black. Body sits on base of grey stone, with back flipper raised behind. Two wide-set white carved circles for eyes with small white circle carved inside black ring for pupil. Mouth and nose are raised, with two upturned nostrils, four whiskers on either side, a downturned curved mouth and two long tusks beneath on front. Body is carved to have wrinkles. One flipper sits on stomach, the other flipper is beneath the tusks tucked under the body facing the back flipper. Flippers are intricately carved with five digits and markings on the tips. Back flipper has ten digits and webbed ends, it is chipped. Base has disk number and Inuktitut syllabics inscribed and an Igloo Tag Trademark sticker. 
Carving is attributed to Mathewsie Amidlak based on disk number inscribed on base. He is from Inukjuak, Quebec. Round, broad, and realistic style sculpture common of the artist and the region.

Igloo tag sticker on the bottom reading "eskimo art" with an image of an igloo. The Igloo Tag Trademark was instituted in 1958 by the Canadian Government. It is a small image of an igloo added on as a tag, or in this case glued to the bottom of the carving, that acts to authenticate Inuit Art. It is intended to protect artists from appropriated mass-produced counterfeit pieces, and to promote proper compensation for authentic Inuit Art. As of 2017, the Inuit Art Foundation has taken over the trademark and the project is now Inuit-led. 

Marks/Labels

"E91548"
Inuktitut Syllabics 
"eskimo art" on Igloo Tag Trademark sticker

Accession number is on top left bottom of the base

Category

Carving