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Artworks
DAVIDIALUK ALASUA AMITTU (1910-1976) PUVIRNITUQ (POVUNGNITUK)
Eagle Caught in a Fox Trap, c. 1970stone, 5 x 9 x 4 in (12.7 x 22.9 x 10.2 cm)
signed, "DEVIDE / ALLSOAK".LOT 139
ESTIMATE: $2,000 — $3,000
PRICE REALIZED: $1,830.00Further images
As discussed above (Lot 138), Davidialuk is best known for his depictions of Inuit folklore and legends. Many of these stories and legends are documented and easily recognizable (see Story...As discussed above (Lot 138), Davidialuk is best known for his depictions of Inuit folklore and legends. Many of these stories and legends are documented and easily recognizable (see Story of a Giant, First Arts, 4 December 2023, Lot 38), whereas others are more subtle or obscure. We are not familiar with a Nunavik Inuit story of an eagle caught in a trap. It may be a personal story of Davidialuk’s or a recollection. Perhaps an eagle once tried to raid his meat cache and was caught in a trap meant for foxes. While the story remains obscure, what is self-evident is the powerful composition and the sensitive surface decoration – a trademark technique of a sculptor who was also a renowned graphic artist.
References: For a famous sculpture of a mythological bird by the artist with similarly incised feathers, from c. 1958, see Ingo Hessel, Inuit Art: An Introduction, (Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre / New York: Harry Abrams / London: British Museum Press, 1998), pl. 37, p. 50; also illustrated in numerous other publications.Provenance
Private Collection, New Jersey.
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