Menu
EUR
CAD
AUD
GBP
MXN
HKD
CNY
MYR
SEK
SGD
CHF
THB1970s Inuit Whalebone "Spirit Figure" Karoo Ashevak
Lot 121e
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Categories
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$6,000 - $9,000
Absentee vs Live bid
Two ways to bid:
- Leave a max absentee bid and the platform will bid on your behalf up to your maximum bid during the live auction.
- Bid live during the auction and your bids will be submitted real-time to the auctioneer.
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Jun 29, 2023
Set Reminder
2023-06-29 10:00:00
2023-06-29 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities, Ethnographic and Fine Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-ethnographic-and-fine-art-13031
Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (339)
- Lot Description
Karoo Ashevak (First Nations, Inuk, 1940 to 1974), "Spirit Figure", whalebone, ca. 1970s CE. An intriguing whale bone carving of an abstract human face and an elongated body- perhaps a transforming shaman or supernatural spirit. Karoo Ashevak’s signature in Inuktitut syllabics is initialed on the base; a separate disc set upon a peg. Ashevak is one of the most famous contemporary Inuit sculptors, achieving a reputation in his community during his career, and more so internationally after his death. He is known for his spirit-figures that reflect his Inuit heritage in the arctic territory Nunavut Canada. Whale bone sculpture requires the use of older bone that has dried and ossified - new bone will splinter and be too oily to carve- hence the wonderfully aged and weathered appearance. Size: 9" L x 4" W x 6" H (22.9 cm x 10.2 cm x 15.2 cm)
The traditional Inuit way of life was becoming increasingly difficult in the mid-20th century, Ashevak and his wife moved to Taloyoak in attempt to find paying jobs. A Canadian government funded arts and crafts program had been set up in the region to encourage commerce and Ashevak joined. Inuit sculptures were shipped south to Ottawa and other provenances, where they were well received. Interestingly, whalebone, although the traditional material, was scarce and was flown in by plane. Ashevak won third place in a 1970 competition, and 1972 a solo exhibition in Toronto, but his fame didn’t begin until his 1973 exhibition in New York. He had a short career lasting about 4 years before his death in 1974, with an estimated 250 works produced, but he had become one of the most famous contemporary Inuit sculptors, and posthumous exhibitions bolstered his fame. Karoo Ashevak and his wife both died tragically in a house fire, months after the equally heartbreaking death of their adopted son.
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 and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#178806Signed in Inuktitut script on base. Loss to underside of whalebone on "tail" area and yellow adhesive residue around the bone peg. Chips and nicks to surfaces. Natural ossification and weathering to bone.Condition
- Shipping Info
-
All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience. Your invoice from Artemis Gallery will include shipping calculation instructions. If in doubt, please inquire BEFORE bidding for estimated shipping costs for individual items.
-
- Buyer's Premium
