Kenojuak Ashevak ᑭᓄᐊᔪᐊ ᐊᓯᕙ, CC, RCA (1927-2013)
OWL WITH YOUNG, CA. 1975
unsigned
15.25 x 12.5 x 7.5 in — 38.7 x 31.8 x 19.1 cm
November 20, 2025
Estimate $5,000-$7,000
Realised: $67,850
Even before the success of the print program at Kinngait (Cape Dorset), Kenojuak Ashevak expressed her visions in stone in the mid to late 1950s. Never a prolific sculptor, she continued with only occasional forays into the medium over her career.
The present work is carved in marble quarried at Andrew Gordon Bay, 50 km east of Kinngait (Cape Dorset). The material was predominantly used in the early to mid 1970s, and ranged in colour from luminous white, to green, to salmon pink. In the present work, Kenojuak has used the difficult to work with Bay stone to great effect, the weight and size of the figure emphasizing the protective strength of the mother owl over her young.
Related Items
Kenojuak Ashevak ᑭᓄᐊᔪᐊ ᐊᓯᕙ, CC, RCA (1927-2013)
SNOWY OWL, CA. 1960
signed in syllabics; disc number inscribed; old sticker to underside inscribed "Private Collection Charles Gimpel"
13 x 11 x 8.5 in — 33 x 27.9 x 21.6 cm
May 29, 2025
Estimate $3,000-$4,000
Realised: $17,500
Kenojuak Ashevak ᑭᓄᐊᔪᐊ ᐊᓯᕙ, CC, RCA (1927-2013)
BIRDS FROM THE SEA, 1960
titled, dated, and numbered 43/50; artist's name in Roman
sheet 19 x 24 in — 48.3 x 61 cm; sheet
November 28, 2024
Estimate $9,000-$12,000
Realised: $30,000
KENOJUAK ASHEVAK, C.C., R.C.A. (1927-2013)
THE ENCHANTED OWL
1960, 12/50
24 x 26 in — 61 x 66 cm
September 16, 2020
Estimate $100,000-$120,000
Realised: $204,000
Kenojuak Ashevak ᑭᓄᐊᔭᐊ ᐊᓯᕗ, CC, RCA (1927-2013)
THEO WADDINGTON COMMISSIONED PORTFOLIO, 1979
12 works; each titled, dated and numbered 33/50; artist's name in Roman and syllabics; accompanied by cloth-covered portfolio
each 22.25 x 31 in — 56.5 x 78.7 cm
November 30, 2023
Estimate $8,000-$12,000
Realised: $19,680
Karoo Ashevak ᑲᕈ ᐊᓴᕙ (1940-1974)
DRUM DANCE, CIRCA 1974
signed in syllabics; accompanied by: original invoice and receipt from Maynard’s Auctioneers; original gallery tombstones; a “Canada Eskimo Art” tag inscribed “Karoo Ashevak / Spence Bay / 225 / Spirit”
12 x 10 x 16 in — 30.5 x 25.4 x 40.6 cm
November 30, 2023
Estimate $30,000-$50,000
Realised: $34,350
Karoo Ashevak ᑲᕈ ᐊᓴᕙ (1940-1974)
SPIRIT, CA. 1974
signed in syllabics; accompanied by "Canadian Eskimo Art" tag inscribed "Ashevak / Spence Bay /Spirit"
7.75 x 7 x 3.75 in — 20.3 x 17.8 x 9.5 cm
December 02, 2022
Estimate $10,000-$15,000
Realised: $33,600
KENOJUAK ASHEVAK, C.C., R.C.A. (1927-2013)
BOUNTIFUL BIRD
1986, 45/50
21 x 29 in — 53.3 x 73.7 cm
February 27, 2020
Estimate $2,000-$3,000
Realised: $28,800
KENOJUAK ASHEVAK, C.C., R.C.A. (1927-2013)
THE ENCHANTED OWL
1960, 23/50
21.75 x 24.75 in — 55.2 x 62.9 cm
November 20, 2018
Estimate $100,000-$120,000
Realised: $216,000
KENOJUAK ASHEVAK (1927-)
ENCHANTED OWL (GREEN TAIL)
1960, colour trial proof
24" x 26" — 61 x 66 cm.
November 05, 2007
Estimate $15,000-$20,000
Realised: $52,800
KAROO ASHEVAK (1940-1974)
SHAMAN WITH OPPOSING FACES
c. 1973
15 x 10 x 7 in — 40.6 x 25.4 x 19.1 cm
May 29, 2018
Estimate $30,000-$40,000
Realised: $90,000
KAROO ASHEVAK (1940-1974)
SPIRIT FACES (TOOTH PULL)
14" x 19" x 6" — 35.6 x 48.3 x 15.2 cm.
November 22, 2016
Estimate $35,000-$45,000
Realised: $132,000
Inuit, First Nations & Métis Art
Waddington’s is internationally recognized as one of the leading authorities in marketing Inuit Art. No other auction house has been as intrinsically linked to the development of a market for this art form. From our first landmark auction in 1978 of the William Eccles Collection, Waddington’s has offered thousands of works, set record prices, and expanded the market well beyond Canada’s borders. Our legacy of successful Inuit Art auctions, our ability to achieve continually increasing values and our creation of an international market have been key factors in validating Inuit art as a whole and establishing it as an integral part of the Canadian Art scene.
Meet the Specialist
Duncan McLean
President, Senior Specialist
Palmer Jarvis
Senior Specialist
Elizabeth Gagnon
Consignment Specialist