This is a vintage Native American Eskimo Inuit Figurine.
It is made by well-known Inuit artist and sculptor, Jimmy Arnamissak-also known as "Jimmy Smith," a nickname derived from his birthplace - was born in 1946 at Cape Smith (now Akulivik). He later moved to Puvirnituq, before settling in Inukjuak. It was in the Akulivik area that his father was killed during a hunting trip, leaving his mother Louisa to support the family. To supplement his mother's pension Arnamissak began carving in 1959 when he was around 12 years old. "Because I had no father I had to think of some way to earn money. By watching and learning from other Inuit - including his mother and brother, Simeonie - who were carving, I started to make carvings and have ever since," he said during an interview with Inuit Art Foundation in 1997. Arnamissak devoted himself to carving full-time. He was also a skilled hunter, a subject he depicted in many of his sculptures. In 1984, he travelled to Tokyo to participate in an exhibition at the Canadian Trade Centre, an event sponsored by La Fédération des Coopératives du Nouveau-Québec. In 1986, Arnamissak's work was included in an exhibition of Inuit and African soapstone carving that was shown in the Kisii district of Western Kenya. Since 1966, his work has appeared in over 50 group exhibitions and several solo exhibitions. His work can be found in private and public collections throughout North America.
Along with hunting, Jimmy Arnamissak's mother Louisa, who died in 1975, was a subject of many of his sculptures. Louisa's facial features can be seen in his carvings of female figures and many of his works were based on the theme of the active mother and wife busily engaged in domestic activities. He is also well known for his scenes of northern life, which often include groupings of people, kayaks, dogteams, igloos, and komatiit (sleds) arranged on flat, oblong bases. With their smooth contours and compact arrangements, Arnamissak's detailed carvings convey a strong sense of activity and narrative. Sometimes, he also used ivory inlay for the faces of his figures.
The figurine is signed on the bottom by the artist with Jimmy Smith and some munbers.
The figurine is made from soapstone and is very large beautiful.
It shows an Inuit woman - probably the artist's mother with a baby and a fish.
The details are amazing.
It is app. 10" by 3 1/2" and it is 13 1/2" tall.
It is 16.6 kg or 30 lb
It is in good vintage condition with some small scratches.
Simply gorgeous!


Reserve: $670.00

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