Inuit Art Auction

June 02, 2014

LOT 261

Lot 261

Unidentified

Unidentified
Lot 261 Details
Unidentified, Igloolik

AN INUIT COUPLE (2 PCS)

stone, antler
c. 1954
11" x 5" x 3" — 27.9 x 12.7 x 7.6 cm.; 10" x 6" x 2.5" — 25.4 x 15.2 x 6.4 cm.

Estimate $3,000-$5,000

Realised: $3,360
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Provenance:

Collection of Danish Count and artist, Eigil Knuth, Denmark
Collection of Danish Archeologist and Inuit studies specialist, Jørgen Meldgaard, Denmark
by descent to present owner

Heralded by his colleagues as 'Nestor' ('Elder Statesman') of the Danish polar explorers, Count Eigil Knuth's (1903-96) contributions to science were numerous. Arguably his most crucial contribution to the field was the identification of the Independence I & II cultures. These cultures, which Knuth named after Independence Fjord in Peary land, are immigration waves of Paleo-Eskimo that are separated by nearly 3000 years.

Following the war, Knuth organized the Danish Peary Land Expedition, with the first team traveling North in 1947. The following summer, a young archeology student, Jørgen Meldgaard, would join this investigation. Of this trip, Meldgaard stated, "I was deeply fascinated. After this first expedition, I was stuck with Arctic archaeology"

Jørgen Meldgaard (1927-2007) joined the research team of Eigil Knuth in 1948. Here the researchers sought to express the cultural connections between the north of Greenland with Dorset and Thule Culture in the Smith Sound region and Arctic Canada. Subsequently, Meldgaard would continue his research throughout the Arctic. In the late 1950s, he took a position with McGill University in preparation for his investigations in Igloolik.

Throughout his expansive career, Meldgaard published a number of works, including a co-authored text concerning the three phases of Greenland’s pre-history: Saqqaq, Dorset and Thule. In 1959, Meldgaard declared his fascination with Inuit Art, publishing Eskimo Sculpture.

Meldgaard was awarded the Hans Egede Medal of the Royal Danish Geographical Society in 1976 and in 1997, the Greenland Home Rule. In 2003, Meldgaard was given the Erik Westerby Prize - the highest distinction awarded to an archeologist in Denmark.

Note:

These two individually carved pieces would hold up on their own as strong examples of 1950’s Inuit sculpture. The two works have been a pair for as long and should be sold as such.

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

LOT 261
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About Condition Ratings

  • 5 Stars: Excellent - No discernable damage, flaws or imperfections
  • 4 Stars: Very Good - Minor flaws or imperfections visible only under close inspection using specialised instruments or black light
  • 3 Stars: Good - Minor flaws visible upon inspection under standard lighting
  • 2 Stars: Fair - Exhibits flaws or damage that may draw the eye under standard lighting
  • 1 Star: Poor - Flaws or damage immediately apparent under standard lighting (examples: missing components, rips, broken glass, damaged surfaces, etc.)

Note: Condition ratings and condition details are the subjective opinions of our specialists and should be used as a guide only. Waddington’s uses due care when preparing condition details, however, our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. Condition details and reports are not warranties and each lot is sold “as is” in accordance with the buyer’s terms and conditions of sale. In all cases the prospective purchaser is responsible for inspecting the property themselves prior to placing a bid.