Two Inuit soapstone carvings - one BIG and one ODD

Discussion in 'Art' started by Bookahtoo, May 8, 2016.

  1. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    I am researching these for a customer. The first one is 12" tall and weighs 28 pounds. It was carved by Levi Qumaluk. Beyond that, I really don't have a clue. I don't know if it is a man or a woman, or what they are carrying over their shoulder.

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    Last edited: May 8, 2016
    Bookahtoo, May 8, 2016
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  2. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    The second one is 9" tall and weighs 9 pounds. One side is a face wearing what might be a wolf's skin. The other side is what looks like a woman's face. I can't really read the symbols on the bottom and so haven't been able to find the artist. I really need help with this one.

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    Bookahtoo, May 8, 2016
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  3. verybrad

    verybrad Well-Known Member

    First might be carrying a baby. Second has a seal skin on head.
     
    verybrad, May 8, 2016
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  4. Mark London

    Mark London Well-Known Member

    Second piece is unsigned but hails from Ivujivik.
     
    Mark London, May 8, 2016
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  5. Wanttoknow

    Wanttoknow Well-Known Member

    Sorry, but this "baby" is beginning at the front and finishing at the back next to knee
    :hilarious: Baby would be much smaller. Also it is woman's job carrying a baby.
    eskimo-family-760x321.jpg Maybe this man came back from hunting with some animal... with seal lately used for a hat. :shame:
     
    Wanttoknow, May 8, 2016
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  6. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    a hunter with a seal carcass over his shoulder......

    the 2nd is a husband and wife bound together by a seal spirit....that looks to much like a fox. So it's a fox spirit.

    it's not a davey crockett hat !!!
     
    komokwa, May 9, 2016
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    judy likes this.
  7. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Thank you for your input Brad, Mark, wanttoknow, and komokwa.
    Are the symbols on the second one not the artist's signature? I've tried to use the Inuit artist database but..... :(
     
    Bookahtoo, May 9, 2016
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  8. Mark London

    Mark London Well-Known Member

    Not a signature but an abbreviation of the community name.
     
    Mark London, May 9, 2016
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    Wanttoknow and yourturntoloveit like this.
  9. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Thanks Mark.
    What are the numbers? They aren't a disc number.
     
    Last edited: May 9, 2016
    Bookahtoo, May 9, 2016
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  10. Mark London

    Mark London Well-Known Member

    Co-op inventory numbers. Disc numbers which were an alternative to signatures commence with a prefix of either E for Eastern Arctic or W for Western Arctic.
     
    Mark London, May 9, 2016
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    Wanttoknow and yourturntoloveit like this.
  11. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    what about the sylabics at the top which upside down spell......ti pi gu...????
    with that stupid copyright symbol...?
     
    komokwa, May 9, 2016
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  12. Mark London

    Mark London Well-Known Member

    Generally, all things are inscribed in the same direction. If we assume that the copyright symbol is signed right side up, then so too are the English letters I V U, a common abbreviation for Ivujivik.
     
    Mark London, May 9, 2016
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    judy, all_fakes and Aquitaine like this.
  13. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    Ahhhh...you smart.....me grabbing at straws !!! :hilarious::hilarious:
     
    komokwa, May 9, 2016
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  14. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    :rolleyes::hilarious::hilarious:
     
    Bookahtoo, May 9, 2016
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