Inuit Art

September 16, 2020

LOT 33

Lot 33

ENNUTSIAK (1896-1967)

 ENNUTSIAK (1896-1967)
Lot 33 Details
ENNUTSIAK (1896-1967), Frobisher Bay / Iqaluit

WOMEN STITCHING TOGETHER SKIN FOR KAYAK

stone, ivory
late 1950's
4 x 8 x 5.25 in — 10.2 x 20.3 x 13.3 cm

Estimate $5,000-$7,000

Realised: $10,200
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Additional Images
 ENNUTSIAK (1896-1967)
  •  ENNUTSIAK (1896-1967)
  •  ENNUTSIAK (1896-1967)
  •  ENNUTSIAK (1896-1967)
  •  ENNUTSIAK (1896-1967)
  •  ENNUTSIAK (1896-1967)
  •  ENNUTSIAK (1896-1967)
  •  ENNUTSIAK (1896-1967)
  •  ENNUTSIAK (1896-1967)
  • 3D Image
Provenance:

Private Collection, Ganonoque, ON

Literature:

Brousseau, Raymond. Inuit: When Words Take Shape. Musée D'histoire Naturelle de Lyon, 2002, page 26

Note:

"When it was the right time of year to build kayaks, the young women had to chew the seal skins to make them supple. We also learned to sew and help the older woman. I remember seeing women sitting outside, sewing skins to cover kayaks. In our culture, women were always supposed to have something to do. That's what young women were taught when they started to learn how to work." - Susie Aupaluk Kauki, 1997.

Ennustiak is known for his “living pictures”, his carefully posed tableau scenes depicting traditional Inuit life. He favoured women’s scenes, most notable are his birthing scenes.

This piece however, is not something that we have seen from him before. The two pairs are likely mother and daughter, with the younger wearing her hair loose and tied back, and the mothers donning traditional up does. The four women, wielding ivory awls, are preparing walrus skin to be fitted over the kayak frame to their sides.

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

LOT 33
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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.