Featured What is it?

Hi! New member here. English is not my first language, so please bear with me.

I am a collector. No special interest, but things I find beautiful, unusal, interesting etc.

I bought this stone figurine two years ago not knowing what is was. The seller said African, others have suggested west coast of Canada. Ca 13 cm long, 455 g.

Can anyone help me identify this object? Is it old, a tourist piece or something of importance to those/him/her who made it, what does it represent? Any information is welcome. Thanks in advance!

EDIT: I just remembered that I asked in a group on Facebook not long after I got this sculpture and someone suggested that it could be a "pre-Columbian death effigy depicting a bird carrying a loved one or someone important to the afterlife".

 

Welcome Divina, you're doing perfectly. Many of us aren't native speakers of English btw, so this lot is used to reading between the lines.

 

Thank you, Any Jewelry!

 

It does have a First Nations look to it.

 

I can see why both origins have been suggested - either Inuit or Shona (Zimbabwe).

I will tag 2 members familiar with Inuit/First Nations work -
@komokwa
@Mark London

 

Well, it does have a bit of an Inuit look to it -- a seal carrying something? But I can say that I've never seen anything like it here on the west coast of Canada. I'm curious now, too!

 

I'd think First Nations immediately, but maybe Siberian???? That's a seal for certain.

 

I see signs that it could be an older Inuit piece.........but this one is above my pay grade...... so lets see what Mark has to say !!

 

Thank you.

 

Thank you. How exciting!

 

Thank you. Yes, I too think the animal looks like a seal.

 

Thank you.

 

Welcome!

 

Thank you, all_fakes!