Description:

First Nations, Canada, Nunavut, Inuit, ca. 2001. An enthralling soapstone sculpture of the goddess Sedna, with a seal body and a woman's head, her long hair flowing back, and the flippers resemble large human fingers. Sedna is the mother of the sea, and ruler of the underworld - she has various names and stories throughout the arctic region that vary from group to group. In most narrations she is young woman that angers her father and is thrown off a kayak into the ocean, as she clings to the side of the boat, her fingers are chopped off and become the first seals and whales of the world, and Sedna is transformed into a sea goddess and mistress of sea animals. Due to her lack of fingers, a shaman had to comb her hair, and hunters depended on her goodwill for survival. Another symbolic feature of the carving is the overall shape which resembles an ulu knife - since hunting tools are often thrown into the sea as offerings to Sedna - and an ulu knife was probably used to chop off her fingers. Size: 13.3" L x 2.5" W x 7.25" H (33.8 cm x 6.4 cm x 18.4 cm)

The base is dated 2001 and signed in Inuktitut syllabics and the initials "C.H." and "N.U." possibly for Nunavut. A Canadian Igloo sticker is also on the base. The Igloo tag was introduced by the Canadian government in 1958 to authenticate Inuit art and promote economic opportunities for these artists.

Provenance: private Park City, Utah, USA collection, acquired by descent; ex-private Park City, Utah, 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 and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#188615

  • Condition: Minor abrasions and nicks, otherwise intact. Natural veining and striations. Signed in Inuktitut syllabics, initialed, and dated. Canada igloo sticker is on the base.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

August 23, 2024 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 27.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000