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THBLarge 20th C. Inuit Soapstone Carving - Bear & Seals
Lot 148
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
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$4,000 - $6,000
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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
May 23, 2019
Set Reminder
2019-05-23 10:00:00
2019-05-23 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Day 2 Ethnographic Tribal Fossils
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-day-2-ethnographic-tribal-fossils-4136
Day 2 of an important 2-day auction featuring exceptional ethnographic art from around the world. Today's sale will feature Pre-Columbian from the ancient americas, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, and incredible Fossils. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Day 2 of an important 2-day auction featuring exceptional ethnographic art from around the world. Today's sale will feature Pre-Columbian from the ancient americas, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, and incredible Fossils. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (194)
- Lot Description
Native American/First Nations, Canada, Inuit culture, ca. 20th century CE. Signed "A.S." on bear's leg. A sizeable and skillfully carved soapstone statue depicting a polar bear hunting two seals. The composition is dramatic as the bear is grasping one seal in his right paw and chomping on his other victim. The stone is a brilliant deep green with wonderful dark inclusions, and the ensemble displays a wonderful sense of motion and narrative. To the Inuit people, the polar bear, Nanook (also Nanuq), is a special creature, regarded as "master of bears" who decided which hunters could successfully hunt bears. Polar bears are highly respected for their courage, power, ability to survive harsh conditions, and skill at seal hunting. Size: 12.5" W x 10.125" H (31.8 cm x 25.7 cm)
Polar bears have been very important to indigenous peoples of the Arctic for thousands of years. The Inuit have traditionally viewed the Bear Spirit as a powerful soul. Given that these bears stand and walk as humans do, some understood them to be reincarnated Shamans or even extremely spiritual people. Other stories claim that these great white bears accompany souls in the afterlife. According to an old Inuit legend, if a hunter treats a dead polar bear respectfully, the bear will share this with other bears so that they will be happy to be killed by him. On the other hand, bears would steer clear of any hunter who failed to treat them respectfully. There are other legends that tell of polar-bear men who reside in igloos, walk upright on their legs, and can talk.
Provenance: ex-John Rich collection, California, USA. John Rich was a notable Hollywood producer/director.
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.
#145831Stone presents beautiful veining. Intact and excellent. Old auction label attached to underside. Inscribed with initial "A.S." on bear's leg.Condition
- Shipping Info
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