Pair of Inuit Male Statues carved in Caribou bone-probably Nunivak.
20th Century
Bone
20 x 3 x 5 cm
7 7/8 x 1 1/8 x 2 in
7 7/8 x 1 1/8 x 2 in
2023
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This pair is a fine example of carving done by Inuit natives. Native Americans who live within and just below the Arctic Circle. Hand-made tools were improvised for carving and bow-string hand drills were also in use. Carving has been practiced by the Inuit for over 2,000 years and traditionally only Inuit men were allowed to carve objects out of ivory, bone, and wood. Artists found their inspiration in daily life and the natural world around them. Usually, a sculptor would be inspired to make a figure and just started carving, without making any sketches first. He might indicate the basic outline with a few guide marks. Often they based their work on older carving.