First Arts company logo
First Arts
Skip to main content
  • Menu
  • Home
  • Spring 2025 | Live Auction
  • Available Artworks
  • Auctions & Exhibitions
  • About
  • SERVICES
  • News & Blog
Menu

Artworks

Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: JOHN KAVIK (1897-1993) KANGIQLINIQ (RANKIN INLET), Basking Seal, c. early 1960s
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: JOHN KAVIK (1897-1993) KANGIQLINIQ (RANKIN INLET), Basking Seal, c. early 1960s
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: JOHN KAVIK (1897-1993) KANGIQLINIQ (RANKIN INLET), Basking Seal, c. early 1960s
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: JOHN KAVIK (1897-1993) KANGIQLINIQ (RANKIN INLET), Basking Seal, c. early 1960s
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: JOHN KAVIK (1897-1993) KANGIQLINIQ (RANKIN INLET), Basking Seal, c. early 1960s

JOHN KAVIK (1897-1993) KANGIQLINIQ (RANKIN INLET)

Basking Seal, c. early 1960s
stone, 3.25 x 8.5 x 4.25 in (8.3 x 21.6 x 10.8 cm)
unsigned.
LOT 67
ESTIMATE: $2,000 — $3,000

Further images

  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 1 ) JOHN KAVIK (1897-1993) KANGIQLINIQ (RANKIN INLET), Basking Seal, c. early 1960s
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 2 ) JOHN KAVIK (1897-1993) KANGIQLINIQ (RANKIN INLET), Basking Seal, c. early 1960s
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 3 ) JOHN KAVIK (1897-1993) KANGIQLINIQ (RANKIN INLET), Basking Seal, c. early 1960s
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 4 ) JOHN KAVIK (1897-1993) KANGIQLINIQ (RANKIN INLET), Basking Seal, c. early 1960s
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 5 ) JOHN KAVIK (1897-1993) KANGIQLINIQ (RANKIN INLET), Basking Seal, c. early 1960s
John Kavik is best known for his myriad portrayals of the human figure, but he did make the occasional foray into the animal kingdom, with an apparent fondness for muskoxen....
Read more

John Kavik is best known for his myriad portrayals of the human figure, but he did make the occasional foray into the animal kingdom, with an apparent fondness for muskoxen. While there may be more examples extant, we know of fewer than five depictions of seals by Kavik (see First Arts, July 2020, Lot 83, for an interesting and quite large specimen). The present example is a very early one, perhaps the archetype. Swimming Seal is a particularly fine work, delicately carved and more finished than later works by Kavik. With its streamlined body, tucked-in front flippers, and almost bird-like head, the sculpture is a truly appealing animal portrait.

References: Publications illustrating multiple examples of fine works by John Kavik include George Swinton, Sculpture of the Inuit, (Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 1972/92); Norman Zepp, Pure Vision: The Keewatin Spirit, (Regina: Norman Mackenzie Art Gallery, 1986); and Bernadette Driscoll, Rankin Inlet / Kangirlliniq, (Winnipeg: Winnipeg Art Gallery, 1981).
Close full details

Provenance

An Ottawa Collection.
Inquire
%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EJOHN%20KAVIK%20%281897-1993%29%20KANGIQLINIQ%20%28RANKIN%20INLET%29%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EBasking%20Seal%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3Ec.%20early%201960s%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22signed_and_dated%22%3Estone%2C%203.25%20x%208.5%20x%204.25%20in%20%288.3%20x%2021.6%20x%2010.8%20cm%29%3Cbr/%3E%0Aunsigned.%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3ELOT%2067%3Cbr/%3E%0AESTIMATE%3A%20%242%2C000%20%E2%80%94%20%243%2C000%3C/div%3E
Share
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Email

FIRST ARTS PREMIERS INC.  
Nadine Di Monte   |    647-286-5012   |    info@firstarts.ca 

Ingo Hessel  |    613-818-2100   |    ingo@firstarts.ca

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.

 

 

 

Join Our Mailing List

 

JOIN

 

 

 

Facebook, opens in a new tab.
Instagram, opens in a new tab.
Send an email
Manage cookies
Copyright © 2025 First Arts
Site by Artlogic

This website uses cookies
This site uses cookies to help make it more useful to you. Please contact us to find out more about our Cookie Policy.

Manage cookies
Accept

Cookie preferences

Check the boxes for the cookie categories you allow our site to use

Cookie options
Required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Improve your experience on the website by storing choices you make about how it should function.
Allow us to collect anonymous usage data in order to improve the experience on our website.
Allow us to identify our visitors so that we can offer personalised, targeted marketing.
Save preferences
Close

Join our mailing list

Join

* denotes required fields

We will process the personal data you have supplied in accordance with our privacy policy (available on request). You can unsubscribe or change your preferences at any time by clicking the link in our emails.