Occasionally we come across a work that completely surprises us. A cursory glance at this small, delightful sculpture indicates beautiful workmanship and simple but very pleasing proportions. The surprise is in the details: the almost unique decorative treatment of the clothing details. We know of only one other Inuit carving with similar meticulously drilled patterns we see here on the woman’s (or girl’s) parka and skirt: a lovely work made by an unidentified Inukjuak artist c. 1949. We are certain that the two pieces were created by the same artist; the only major difference being the lack of soap inlay on this example. Especially notable here are the shield-like pattern on the parka; the gentle sway of the pleated skirt; and the sweet little shoulder tassels. In some ways Standing Woman reminds us of the remarkable early 1950s Standing Mother and Child by a Cape Dorset artist (see First Arts, July 2021, Lot 21). Charming and exquisite.