TORONTO, ON – July 15th, 2021: As Canada’s leading promoter ofIndigenous art at auction, First Arts’ fourth successful auction on July 13th set ten new world records for works by Inuit and First Nations artists. During the live auction, 130 works from the historical and classic, as well as the modern and contemporary periods were auctioned for a total of $1.2 million in sales.
Record setting artists and works included:
LOT 59
S’gan Mask (Killer Whale Mask), 1990
carved and painted red cedar, cedar bark, feathers, and operculum, 26 x 12.75 x 7.25 in (66 x 32.4 x 18.4 cm).
ESTIMATE: $70,000 — $100,000
PRICE REALIZED: $90,000.00
An Auction Record for A Mask by the Artist at Auction
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LOT 95
Reclining Polar Bear, c. 1955
stone, ivory, and black ink, 6.25 x 10.25 x 7 in (15.9 x 26 x 17.8 cm).
ESTIMATE: $12,000 — $18,000
PRICE REALIZED: $38,400.00
An Auction Record for the Artist
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LOT 85
Swimming Sedna, 1998
stone, 5 x 25 x 20.5 in (12.7 x 63.5 x 52.1 cm)
ESTIMATE: $8,000 — $12,000
PRICE REALIZED: $31,200.00
An Auction Record for the Artist
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Lot 33
UNIDENTIFIED ARTIST, HAIDA
Recorder (Flute), c. 1845-1865
argillite and bone, 15 x 2 x 2 in (38.1 x 5.1 x 5.1 cm)
ESTIMATE: $25,000 — $35,000
PRICE REALIZED: $33,600.00
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LOT 14
Young Hunter with Captured Geese, c. 1954-55
ivory, cotton thread, sinew, and black ink, 5.25 x 2.5 x 2 in (13.3 x 6.3 x 5.1 cm)
ESTIMATE: $10,000 — $15,000
PRICE REALIZED: $31,200.00
An Auction Record for the Artist
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Lot 16
UNIDENTIFIED ARTIST, HAIDA
Haida Chief Holding a Copper, c. 1890
argillite, 11 x 3.5 x 2.75 in (27.9 x 8.9 x 7 cm)
ESTIMATE: $18,000 — $28,000
PRICE REALIZED: $31,200.00
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LOT 7
Drum Dancer, 1989
whale bone, antler, ivory, black inlay, and stone, 12 x 14.5 x 11.75 in (30.5 x 36.8 x 29.8 cm)
ESTIMATE: $8,000 — $12,000
PRICE REALIZED: $26,400.00
An Auction Record for the Artist
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Lot 27
OSUITOK IPEELEE, R.C.A. (1923-2005) KINNGAIT (CAPE DORSET)
Walking Caribou, c. 1987-88
stone and antler, 23.75 x 21.25 x 6.5 in (60.3 x 54 x 16.5 cm)
ESTIMATE: $40,000 — $60,000
PRICE REALIZED: $55,200.00
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Lot 73
UNIDENTIFIED ARTIST, POSSIBLY TLINGIT OR KWAKWA̱KA̱ʼWAKW
Rattle in the Form of a Copper, late 19th century
copper, and stones or seeds (?) 1 x 12.25 x 5.75 in (2.5 x 31.1 x 14.6 cm).
ESTIMATE: $6,000 — $9,000
PRICE REALIZED: $25,200.00
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LOT 107
Owl, 1959 SR #23
stone rubbing, 13.25 x 17.5 in (33.7 x 44.5 cm)
ESTIMATE: $3,500 — $5,000
PRICE REALIZED: $8,400.00
An Auction Record for a Print by the Artist
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LOT 105
Taleelayu and Family (Talulayu and Family), 1976 #13
stencil, 4.5 x 16.75 in (62.2 x 42.5 cm)
ESTIMATE: $2,000 — $3,000
PRICE REALIZED: $7,800.00
An Auction Record for the Artist
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Other pieces of note included works by Yvonne Kanayuk Arnakyuinak ($10,800, an auction record for the artist), Mary Sannaq Papigatok ($24,000, an auction record for the artist), Tattooed Whale, 2016 by Tim Pitsiulak ($4,320.00, an auction record for a print by the artist) as well as a rare unidentified 1950s Standing Mother and Child ($33,600) and John Pangnark’s abstract Figure in Motion ($48,000).
“We are thrilled that our curatorial approach to selling Indigenous art is attracting more and more serious interest among collectors internationally,” said First Arts partner, Ingo Hessel. “Naturally, we are delighted that our offerings of spectacular works continue to achieve exceptional auction results,” he said.
First Arts is committed to encouraging Indigenous artists, empowering Indigenous voices, and supporting Indigenous communities through regular donations to a wide range of philanthropic and cultural initiatives. As part of these ongoing efforts, First Arts will announce a new round of donations later this summer.
For more information, high-resolution images or interview requests, please contact Nadine Di Monte at 647-460-2836 or nadine@firstarts.ca
VIEW RESULTS GALLERY