Native American / First Nations, Northwest Coast United States, Alaska or Canada, Inupiaq/Inuit people, ca. 20th century CE. A charming soapstone sculpture of a seal carrying a huge salmon carved from whalebone. The adorable seal stands upright on his tail with his flippers spread out to support the weight of the giant fish. The scene is both natural - comprised of animals Inuit artists would have seen in the wilderness - and fantastical - stylized in its depictions and using exaggerated scales. Note how the smooth black soapstone is beautifully contrasted by the white whale bone with all its natural pitting and ossification. A wonderful example of Inuit sculpture! Size: 8.1" W x 4.9" H (20.6 cm x 12.4 cm)

Please note this item falls under the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act and is not eligible for international shipping. Native American, Alaska Native, & Native Hawaiian objects are only eligible to ship within the United States.

Provenance: private Greenwood Village, Colorado, USA collection

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.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#178785

Some light scratches on base near seal, as well as expected ossification and weathering to whalebone. Bone supporting whale is removable from base. Otherwise, intact and excellent with smooth surfaces. Inscribed "16569" on underside of base with old collection label.