Lot 257
Possibly LEVI NUNGAQU (1925-1999)
Additional Images
Note:
The work bears a striking resemblance to the piece featured on the frontispiece of James Houston’s 1951 Eskimo Handicrafts. This pamphlet, written and illustrated by Houston, was published by Canadian Handicrafts Guild (Montreal, 1951). This was, arguably, the maiden introduction of Inuit art to the south, especially the United States of America. Of the intricately carved tusk, Houston writes, “The carved ivory tusk tells the story of the Eskimo hunter. When it is done with great cleverness it is a thing anyone would want...”
James A. Houston, Sam and Frederica Woodrow [trans.], Eskimo Handicrafts, Canadian Handicrafts Guild, Montreal, January 1951, frontispiece; cat. no. 4, pp. 4, 31.