Inuit Art

February 2227, 2020
Auction begins to close at 2:00 pm ET

Online Auction
LOT 31

Lot 31

JOHN PANGNARK (1920-1980)

JOHN PANGNARK (1920-1980)
Lot 31 Details
JOHN PANGNARK (1920-1980), Eskimo Point / Arviat

CROUCHING HUNTER

stone
signed indistinctly in syllabics
6.9 x 11 x 6.7 in — 17.5 x 28 x 17 cm

Estimate $1,500-$2,000

Realised: $2,400
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Provenance:

Waddington’s Auctioneers, Toronto, November 1997, Lot 1147

Note:

“In Crouching Hunter, the real concern is for the stripped away, underlying geometry of the poised, tense figure, the roughly carved stone seemingly bursting with barely controlled human energy.” (195)

“Compared to the work of his contemporaries, Pangnark’s carvings are generally small, but his forms are clean and bold, transformed from the abstract only by simple, straight-forward lines. Although it can be said that simplicity is a characteristic element of in most Eskimo art, it is rarely more pure than in the work of Pangnark.

His carvings are meant to stand, but he seldom smoothes the bottom enough. If people comment on this, Pangnark moves the carving all over the table until he finds a place where it will stand, or he bends over and squints at the level of the table or floor, saying the building is crooked. Inevitably, he has to give in and file a flatter spot on the bottom of the carving.”

Oonark-Pangnark Exhibition Catalogue, National Arts Centre, Ottawa 1970

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

LOT 31
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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.