Carved from argillite native to the Belcher Islands and highlighted, quite appropriately, with yellow soap, this snowy owl likely dates to the transitional period of the late 1950s or early 1960s, when Inuit carvers were still living in camps scattered throughout the region. Works from this early period are often distinguished by their exceptional quality and individuality, standing apart from the more formulaic production that emerged from the late 1960s onward.

The bird is especially finely handled. Its wings and tail feathers are meticulously incised in overlapping scallops, while the plumage is etched with a deft and confident hand. Even the construction is thoughtfully resolved: the angled base of the owl meets its carved perch at a corresponding slope, while the L-shaped perch acts as a counterbalance to the weight of the figure. It is a clever piece of engineering, discreetly incorporated into the sculpture’s compact and pleasing design.