Yet another Inuit (?) seal carving . . .

This one has no signature - just a tag that reads "Carving No. 821", followed by the number 2085.
Any thoughts?
(can you tell I used to collect seals? LOL)

 

The tag is likely from the Co-Op that 1st bought the item from the carver.
If you can remove it cleanly and then moisten the bottom you may see some sylabics that could help identify the carver.

 

Thank you!
I will give that a try.
(will have to remember which box it went into first. heh heh)

 

I hate to rain on your parade but your seal is a bird....

 

I can see "bird" in it, but what about the head/mouth?

 

By the way, I have no problem with it being a bird, rather than a seal.
Still cool.

 

I guess it's one of those carvings that started off as a wedge shape and the artist decided only at the end whether to make a bird or a seal. Bear in mind that thses simple pieces where made very quickly with an eye to quantity rather than quality.

 

Thank you for the insight!

I am glad that it wasn't a result of a seal/penguin type of mating.
(sorry - I couldn't resist)

As I said, I do still like it though. It's certainly better than anything I could do.

 

Messilane, I vote that it is a seal. Why? Because birds aren't usually "attractive" when lying on their backs (as in being wounded or dead with eyes depicted as open no less).

Of course it could depict a male bird lying in the nest all day waiting for his favorite-squeeze female bird(s) to deliver his "grub" to him.

 

If we're taking a poll, I vote seal too ... although birds do look something like that after they've collided with a window.

 

Sea otter

 

It can't be a good sign when there's debate about what animal it's meant to be.

 

All kidding aside, I can see the *wings* now, but I am still befuddled by the head.

 

Do Inuit beliefs include a flying seal? Maybe it has religious significance.

 

I think Terry has it with sea otter. They love to float around on their backs.

As to the carving itself, there are no little sea otter ears depicted nor are there any little paws depicted as far as I can see, but that may be a function of this particular artist's "sea otter" vision(s).

 

Otters have long tails but no wings. This piece has wings but no tail. It is a bird, but not a very good one.

 

Well, I'm gonna love him, and squeeze him, and call him Fred.
He is still cute to me.

 

Sorry to be blunt but I see literally thousands of Inuit pieces per year. By all means enjoy!

 

Blunt is good. We need to know these things, or we end up making fools of ourselves.