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Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: UNIDENTIFIED INUIT ARTISTS, Three Ulus, c. 1980s
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: UNIDENTIFIED INUIT ARTISTS, Three Ulus, c. 1980s
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: UNIDENTIFIED INUIT ARTISTS, Three Ulus, c. 1980s

UNIDENTIFIED INUIT ARTISTS

Three Ulus, c. 1980s
each metal and antler, the largest: 5.75 x 5.75 x 1.5 in (14.6 x 14.6 x 3.8 cm) and smaller
LOT 46
ESTIMATE: $250 — $350
PRICE REALIZED: $219.60
21 August 2025

Further images

  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 1 ) UNIDENTIFIED INUIT ARTISTS, Three Ulus, c. 1980s
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 2 ) UNIDENTIFIED INUIT ARTISTS, Three Ulus, c. 1980s
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 3 ) UNIDENTIFIED INUIT ARTISTS, Three Ulus, c. 1980s
The Inuit ulu is a traditional, multi-purpose knife with a distinctive crescent-shaped blade, used primarily by Inuit women for tasks such as skinning animals, preparing food, and sewing. Crafted from...
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The Inuit ulu is a traditional, multi-purpose knife with a distinctive crescent-shaped blade, used primarily by Inuit women for tasks such as skinning animals, preparing food, and sewing. Crafted from materials such as slate, bone, or modern steel, with handles of caribou antler, wood, or ivory, the ulu’s ergonomic design allows precise cutting with a rocking motion. While there are regional differences in design, most ulus share the same basic shape, which can vary depending on the availability and size of the blade material. This could be scavenged steel, often recycled from saw blades, or locally sourced copper. The ulu’s versatility made it essential for survival in the Arctic, from processing seal meat to crafting clothing. Today, ulus are both functional tools and cultural artifacts, often intricately decorated and sold as art. They symbolize Inuit ingenuity, resilience, and the central role of women in traditional life.
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Provenance

Ex. Coll. Colin John Grasset Molson (C.J.G ), Montreal.
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FIRST ARTS PREMIERS INC.  
 416-560-6348   |    info@firstarts.ca 

 550 Queen Street East, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5A 1V2

The main office of First Arts Premiers Inc. is located on the ancestral and traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Huron-Wendat, the original owners and custodians of this land.  Today, it is home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

 

 

 

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