Soon after the introduction of colourful trade beads to Canada’s Arctic by Hudson’s Bay Company traders in the 18th century, Inuit women in the Kivalliq (Keewatin) area began incorporating them into traditional amautiq designs. Lavishly decorated ceremonial amautiit became high fashion in the Kivalliq; the tradition continues and is a source of great pride to makers across the region. [1]

The great majority of amautiit created in recent decades are sewn from fabrics such as wool duffle and cotton/polyester blends rather than caribou skin. [2] Apart from those involving the preparation of skins, the steps are the same; these include cutting and sewing material in the proper proportions and beading and affixing the various decorative panels and fringes. Even the best seamstresses from Rankin Inlet, Arviat, and Baker Lake have created only a handful of these amautiit. These artists generally follow traditional patterns but have also developed trademark floral and geometric beaded designs. To date, we have not identified the maker of this superb example.

1. To learn more about the design and making of Inuit clothing see Judy Hall, Jill Oakes, and Sally Qimmiu’naaq Webster, Sanatujut: Pride in Women’s Work, (Hull: Canadian Museum of Civilization, 1994 (which illustrates numerous Caribou Inuit examples); and Betty Kobayashi Issenman, Sinews of Survival: The Living Legacy of Inuit Clothing, (Vancouver: UBC Press, 1997).

2. For a spectacular Beaded Caribou Skin Amautiq from the region see First Arts, 4 December 2023, Lot 20.