Inuit? Bird carving in green stone

I purchased this carving along with one of a hunter with his tusked marine mammal prey. Both carved in the same heavy green stone. Both not very detailed, simple forms. I assume they are Inuit but maybe just in the style on Inuit carvings? This one seems to have 151 scratched in the bottom. There’s probably another letter or number I can’t make out before 151. Any opinions?

 

I am thinking Jasper.

 

Simple test,try scratching the bottom with your fingernail.

 

What would he be testing for and what results would he be looking for?

 

yes, it is Inuit

 

Scratching with fingernail on soapstone will produce talc powder and prove the stone is soapstone and not a hard stone like jasper.

 

Might also be some variety of serpentine mineral.

 

No talc powder with relatively vigorous fingernail scratching. Before scratching I thought it was a harder stone. After I guess I now know. Maybe this would explain the simpler forms as I imagine it’s harder to carve small details the harder the material your carving.

 

@Mark London

 

It actually looks like hundreds of people conducted that simple test you recommended

 

Serpentine

 

I'd go along with that.

 

Ah yes! Thanks

 

Looks like it would make a great paperweight!