Although John Kavik is best known for his rugged and often quite radically simplified single standing human figures (see Lots 68 and 104), he did occasionally carve depictions of standing or seated mothers and children. Only seldom did Kavik carve more complex subject matter. Mother and Children is one such work, and the finest and most engaging we have seen. Not only is it almost unique for its display of interaction between the two main figures; it also exhibits a touching intimacy and tenderness that is quite remarkable in Kavik’s oeuvre. Kavik also surprises us with the degree of detail he gives to the figures’ clothing. True, the sculpture is still stark by most standards, but in its composition and detail the work is positively naturalistic for Kavik. The facial expressions, too, seem particularly expressive.

Apparently both large figures are female. Judging by their relative scale it is likely that the scene depicts a mother (with an infant in her amaut) playing with or greeting an older daughter. Or she may be saying goodbye to an older daughter who is leaving home. If so, it is no wonder that the scene feels so poignant. The mood is perhaps lightened a bit by the tiny, charming face of the infant that seems to be coming up for air inside its mother’s hood. Wonderful.