** A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this artwork will be donated to the Anthony Quinn Foundation, whose mission is to advocate for the important role arts education plays in personal development and in the overall improvement of social, economic and cultural systems. Learn more at aqfoundation.org **

First Nations / Native American, Alaska or Canadian Arctic, Inuit, ca. mid-20th century CE. A fine hand carved soapstone sculpture of a polar bear devouring a seal! The rotund bear is crouched over the seal, pinning its prey down and burying his snout in the seal's neck. The underside is etched with numbers as either a disc number or as a serial marking and felt pads have been added for stability. The overall stone and form presented is rounded and soft with polished surfaces in mottled gray hues. Size: 5.8" L x 3.5" W x 5.7" H (14.7 cm x 8.9 cm x 14.5 cm)

Provenance: ex-private collection of actor Anthony Quinn and his wife Katherine, Bristol, Rhode Island, USA acquired prior to 2000

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#169228

Minor abrasions and nicks to carving, otherwise intact and very good. Great surface smoothness and preservation to zoomorphic details. The number "9846" is inscribed on the bottom.