Carved from the distinctive talc-serpentine stone (sometimes called argillite) quarried on the Belcher Islands in southern Hudson Bay and used by carvers from the neighbouring community of Kuujjuaraapik (Great Whale River) on the Nunavik mainland as well, this fine early sculpture was probably carved by a Belcher Islands artist. In its overall look, including the addition of ivory elements, it resembles a similarly lovely work offered by First Arts in July 2021 (Lot 5), and other carvings attributed usually to the Belcher Islands and, sometimes, Inukjuak. The workmanship and proportions of the stone figure are charmingly naïve, while the ivory is noticeably more finely worked. The woman’s face is particularly beautiful, delicate in both its carving and the incised facial features and tattoos. It is not at all mask-like like other examples we have seen.

References: For similar works see First Arts Auction, July 2021, Lot 5. See also Ingo Hessel, Arctic Spirit: Inuit Art from the Albrecht Collection at the Heard Museum, (Phoenix: Heard Museum / Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 2006), fig. 34. Another similar work attributed to an Inukjuak artist is illustrated in several publications: Jean Blodgett, Selections from the John and Mary Robertson Collection of Inuit Sculpture, (Kingston: Agnes Etherington Art Centre, 1986), cat. 39; Canadian Eskimo Arts Council, Sculpture/Inuit, (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1971), cat. 293; and George Swinton, Sculpture of the Inuit, (Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 1972/92), fig. 295.