Native American / First Nations, Northwest Coast, Canada, Broughton Island, ca. 1982 CE; Alaska, Inuit / Athabaskan, ca. early to late 20th century CE. A wood and walrus hide model of a boat known as an umiak, complete with a paddle, and a whale bone model boat complete with a stone carving of an Inuit man holding a wood harpoon, hand made by the artist Simo Alikatuktuk. The man is seated in the kayak shaped boat - a wood peg holds the torso in place, his pose is dynamic: one arm raised grasping a wood harpoon, and the other hand has a length of leather threaded through that connects to the harpoon and a stone float bladder. A leather strap holds a wood paddle in place. The underside has a paper label for the artist that includes the date. The other boat or umiak is comprised of a red cedar frame with hides stretched across and tacked in place with iron nails. Size of largest: 13.5" L x 4.25" W x 3" H (34.3 cm x 10.8 cm x 7.6 cm)

The umiak (also umialak, umiaq, umiac, oomiac, oomiak, ongiuk, or anyak) is a type of open-topped, flat-bottomed (no keel) boat used by both Yupik and Inuit and was originally found in all coastal areas from Siberia to Greenland. First arising in Thule times, it has traditionally been used in summer to move people and possessions to seasonal hunting grounds and for hunting whales and walrus. The umiak was considered the family boat, rowed by women and elders, carrying the provisions, children, dogs, and possessions on journeys, while men traveled in kayaks. Although the umiak was usually propelled by oars or paddles, sails made from seal intestines, or even dog teams pulling the boats from the riverbanks were all used! Models were built to demonstrate their construction to eager European traders who wanted to purchase these lightweight boats, and later as souvenirs or toys.

Provenance: ex-Stein collection, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA, acquired prior to 2010

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#168970

Losses to stretched hide on cedar boat pressure fissures and chips to wood frame. Missing one paddle. Second paddle is attached. Tearing and fissures to hide. Bone carving is excellent, natural ossification of one interior, figure and implements are intact. Minor abrasions and scratches.