Inuit Art Auction

November 18, 2013

LOT 285

Lot 285

HAROLD PFEIFFER (1908–1998)

HAROLD PFEIFFER (1908–1998)
Lot 285 Details
HAROLD PFEIFFER (1908–1998), Quebec City, QC

STANDING INUK

bronze
signed in Roman, 1/10
9" x 4" x 3.75" — 22.9 x 10.2 x 9.5 cm.

Estimate $300-$500

Realised: $384
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Additional Images
HAROLD PFEIFFER (1908–1998)
  • HAROLD PFEIFFER (1908–1998)
Note:

Harold Pfeiffer made his first trip north in 1954 on the patrol ship, C.D. Howe, as an x-ray assistant, liaison officer, and sculptor. This trip marked first of several tours to the north that would serve Pfeiffer in his art. Pfeiffer sought to capture some essence of the respect and delight he had for the northern peoples of Canada, Alaska, Greenland, and Siberia. His efforts toward realism and presenting Northern narratives are clear in this work. Here, perhaps, we see a standing figure heralding in the close of perlerorneq (literally ‘to feel the weight of life’). This traditional Greenland Inuit practice dictates that upon first seeing the sun, one must remove a mitt and hold their hand in the air. The more devout also smile with half their face.
From Harold Pfeiffer & John A. Stevens, The Man Who Makes Heads With His Hands: The Art and Life of Harold Pfeiffer, Sculptor. Burnstown, ON: General Store Publishing, 1997 & Kobalenko, Jerry, The Horizontal Everest: Extreme Journeys on Ellesmere Island, BPS Books, 2010)

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

LOT 285
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About Condition Ratings

  • 5 Stars: Excellent - No discernable damage, flaws or imperfections
  • 4 Stars: Very Good - Minor flaws or imperfections visible only under close inspection using specialised instruments or black light
  • 3 Stars: Good - Minor flaws visible upon inspection under standard lighting
  • 2 Stars: Fair - Exhibits flaws or damage that may draw the eye under standard lighting
  • 1 Star: Poor - Flaws or damage immediately apparent under standard lighting (examples: missing components, rips, broken glass, damaged surfaces, etc.)

Note: Condition ratings and condition details are the subjective opinions of our specialists and should be used as a guide only. Waddington’s uses due care when preparing condition details, however, our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. Condition details and reports are not warranties and each lot is sold “as is” in accordance with the buyer’s terms and conditions of sale. In all cases the prospective purchaser is responsible for inspecting the property themselves prior to placing a bid.