Details
Description
A beautifully expressive vintage Inuit hand-carved soapstone duck sculpture, attributed to the Inukjuak (formerly Port Harrison) carving tradition of Nunavik, …
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A beautifully expressive vintage Inuit hand-carved soapstone duck sculpture, attributed to the Inukjuak (formerly Port Harrison) carving tradition of Nunavik, Northern Quebec, Canada, circa 1960s–1970s.
Carved from richly mottled gray-green soapstone, the sculpture depicts a stylized waterfowl with an elegantly elongated curved neck, streamlined bill, substantial carved feet and wonderfully graphic incised feather detailing across the wings. The individual feathers are deeply delineated, giving the otherwise smooth, simplified form a strong sculptural presence.
The underside retains hand-incised markings/signature. The artist has not been definitively identified, and the piece is therefore offered as a signed Inuit work rather than with an unverified artist attribution.
Inukjuak became an important center for modern Inuit stone sculpture during the mid-20th century, with artists of the region developing highly individual interpretations of Arctic animals, birds and traditional life. This piece is particularly appealing for its combination of a strong modernist silhouette and carefully worked surface detail.
The natural variations, veining and tonal shifts within the stone are characteristic of the material and give the sculpture considerable depth and character. An appealing example of mid-century Canadian Inuit sculpture and an excellent decorative object for a collection of Inuit, Indigenous, folk or modernist art.
Origin: Inukjuak / Port Harrison tradition, Nunavik, Northern Quebec, Canada
Period: Circa 1960s–1970s
Material: Carved and polished soapstone / steatite
Subject: Duck / waterfowl
Technique: Hand carved, polished and incised
Markings: Incised markings/signature to underside; artist presently unidentified
Condition: Very good vintage condition with surface wear, natural variations and minor marks consistent with age and hand-carved stone. Please refer to photographs for details.
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- Dimensions
- 4ʺW × 3ʺD × 5ʺH
- Styles
- Mid-Century Modern
- Period
- Mid 20th Century
- Country of Origin
- Canada
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Soapstone
- Condition
- Good Condition, Original Condition Unaltered, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Bottle Green
- Condition Notes
- Original vintage condition. Excellent overall condition with no chips, cracks, repairs, or notable damage observed. Minor surface variations and natural … moreOriginal vintage condition. Excellent overall condition with no chips, cracks, repairs, or notable damage observed. Minor surface variations and natural characteristics of the hand-carved soapstone are consistent with the material, age, and artisanal nature of the piece. less
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