While this beautiful kayak hunting scene was apparently purchased in Labrador in 1951, we are not certain that it was carved there; the Hudson’s Bay Company might have purchased it elsewhere in the Arctic. For example, the HBC had begun purchasing walrus ivory in bulk and distributing it to the highly skilled ivory carvers of Lake Harbour (Kimmirut) in the 1940s for the thriving (mostly local) market. Kimmirut carvers (and Inuit from Pangnirtung as well) had begun carving ivory cribbage boards and similar art works already in the early 20th century for trade. Likewise the Inuit in the region of Naujaat (Repulse Bay) and Igluligaarjuk (Chesterfield Inlet) were steadily carving ivory pieces for trade by the 1930s. Although Nunatsiavut (Labrador) Inuit had carved lovely ivory miniatures already in the 19th century, that tradition was not thriving in the mid 20th century.

It is a shame that we cannot pinpoint the source community for this sculpture, for the work is a masterpiece of its type and someone or someplace deserves the credit. Brilliantly conceived in somewhat the manner of a fine cribbage board - remove the kayak and voilà! - the work easily transcends the more modest concept of the “model kayak and hunter.” Conceptually the polar bear, walruses, and seals are prey but they are also metaphorically the ocean waves upon which the kayaker rides. The workmanship is superb, but it is the graceful, truly elegant composition itself that is spectacular.