Inuit Art Blog
How to display your Narwhal Tusk
I recently sold another narwhal tusk to a client. Of course they were absolutely thrilled with it, but wanted to know the best way to display it.
For your information - This is the WRONG way to display them:
We had a client in the past who told us they mounted it on their wall. They had it placed onto a red cherry wood base with two hooks.
It seemed interesting enough, but to be honest, I find in doing so makes them look like a trophy display hunters use to hang up onto their cabin walls.
On the contrary, a narwhal tusk is sleek, avant garde, exotic and modern looking and deserves to be showcased as such. (at least that's how I see them). For the longest time, we ourselves did not fully know what the best way to showcase them was.
That was up until I met my client and friend in Vancouver. She LOVES narwhal tusks and she had such a simple solution that really stood out from anything else I have ever seen. Picture below:
This is her gorgeous tusk overlooking beautiful Vancouver. When I went to her highrise condo and saw this... I WAS BLOWN AWAY!!!
This is the quintessential way to display modern art. She used a simple wine holder. So minimalist, so easy, and the definition of designer perfection. The wine holder does exactly what it is supposed to do (display the tusk). It does not compete with it. It does not look too flashy, nor is it tacky and ugly. It does not distract the attention of the viewer. Instead, it allows the tusk to draw the attention of the viewer all on its own.
It is the definition of minimalism and is by far the best way I have ever seen a tusk displayed. The wine holder costs less then 40 bucks.
You can get them, or others from amazon. Here is the link.
On that note, if you ever want to make an impression in your home or office, a narwhal tusk will be one of the coolest art pieces you will ever own. It will definitely intrigue your audience. It will be something that everyone will remember about your space. Having one will differ you from everyone else, drumming to the beat of your own path. And at the end of the day, this is what great art is supposed to do.
We only receive a few narwhal tusks a year, if you are interested in purchasing one, click here.
Narwhal Tusks
2017 NARWHAL TUSKS HAVE ARRIVED!! - 3 OF THEM ARE AVAILABLE
Click here to see them.
At Inuit Gifts Inc. we acquire several Narwhal Tusks very year that we like to offer to our clients. I recently had a client who purchased one this week and his wife had a simple yet frequent enough question before committing to the purchase. The question was:
"Are Narhwal only hunted for the tusks; Are they at all endangered?"
The simple answer to these two questions is NO - and let me explain.
The first NO refers to weather they are caught for the sole purpose of their tusks. Just to shed some light on Inuit culture and the villages they live in, it is a very communal and aggregate lifestyle in the North. There ways of life, traditions and willingness to share with one another is something that has been passed down by their ancestors. This communal form of living where everyone is equal, shares and takes care of one another is a way of living that has allowed them to survive the extreme elements of the North for hundreds of generations.
On each tusk, there is a tag that is steel wired through (impossible to remove). This tag was issued by the local marine wildlife officer which is present in each town. Once the tusks are taken out, the hunter brings it to the local office, the tag is issued and wired into the tusk. Every year, they count the population and enforce how many are allowed to be caught by the Inuit. Last year it was 140. That means, only 140 narwhals were allowed to be hunted. Each community is given a strict quota. If it were left up to the Chinese, yes these Narwhals would be extinct by now (Like the Panda). Luckily for the Narwhal, their migrating patterns are in Canadian arctic waters, resulting in the whales being well monitored, and under very strict regulations.
Should there be NO tag attached to a tusk, it has ZERO value as there is no way for it to be sold on the open market. If a gallery is caught selling, transporting or buying a tusk without a tag, there are major major penalties ($100,000 +).
Carving Repair / Restoration
Inuit art is an investment - pure and simple. There are not too many things in life that you can say that about. A beautiful Inuit carving is a treasure that you can admire and cherish, while knowing at the same time it will appreciate in value. Inuit art is one of those rare commodities on this planet that does that. No matter which piece you own, chances are, if you hold onto it for 10 - 20 years, it will at the very least double in value.
Many of our clients have pieces they Love, and then experience that unfortunate mishap where the carving falls off a table and breaks. Life happens, we understand that, and this is why I am writing this article. We are here to rectify your situation and make your carving look as good as new again.
On that narrative, you would be amazed to see what we are able to do with your broken pieces. Pieces that you would never imagine to be repairable, can be fully restored to perfection where you will not even remember or see where it was broken to begin with.
For minor repairs, such as scratches or chips, this is something we can repair in-house. It is a relatively easy fix. Costs associated with this are $150 - $350.
For larger repairs (such as a broken or a shattered foot), we are good friends with this one particular Inuit artist in the North who is beyond amazing at restoring and repairing carvings. I have never seen anyone do what he does. He has worked miracles for our clients. I have had clients hand me over $15,000 Nuna Parr 80 Lbs bear - completely shattered - surprised to see that their piece was returned completely new. They couldn't even see where the cracks or broken pieces were. He is able to repair your broken piece to a better than new state. This equally holds true for older pieces, newer pieces, small trinkets or $20,000 masterpieces. This guy is absolutely incredible when it come to repairs and restoration.
Below are some typical examples and approximate price ranges of what you can expect:.
Typically, small scratches, blemishes or clean chips that can be done in-house: $150 - $350.
Accessory replacements such as tusks from a walrus or a baton from a hunters hand that went missing are easy to replace: $250
Pieces that have shattered or broken pieces: $375 and up
Pieces that need reconstruction, where a part of the stone is missing: $700 and up.
Repairs generally take anywhere from one week to a month to complete.
Please contact us with your broken piece and we will give you an estimate of how much it should cost at 1 800 457-8110 or at info@inuitsculptures.com.
Why our Logo?
Over the years at Inuitgifts, we have streamlined, modernized and perfected our logo. Regardless of these many changes, one thing that has always stayed the same is the Loon with a red eye.
As it graces o
ur website, packaging and all other branding that we use (including my coffee mug at home), the prominence of the Loon reminds us of our beginnings back in 2007. It was then that I met for the first time, world famous Inuit carver Jimmy Iqaluq in Sanikiluaq. As a bush pilot, I flew on a regular basis to this small community In the Hudson Bay. When I saw one of Jimmys loons at the CO-OP, I knew I had to meet him.
As I entered his house, a relationship with trust was immediately formed. He speaks very little english but we were still able to communicate. Because of the astonishment I felt for his Loons, and because it was one of the first significant pieces I purchased, I decided it was only natural to have it as our Logo.At Inuit gifts, the natural harmonious and graceful disposition of the Loon is how we like to treat our clients.
My personal favorite Inuit sculpture in the Gallery for this month
Although I insist on never buying sculptures unless there of AAA quality, there are still some pieces that grace their way to our gallery that are of exceptional quality and deserve extra distinction and attention. Here are some of them that I actually don't mind selling too fast.
This amazing Pitseolaq Qimirpik eagle is not only one of his larger pieces that he's attempted, but the detail and crispness of the lines are exquisitely done to perfection. You will not get too see many large eagles of this magnitude made by Pitseolak. For the most part, acquiring stone large enough is an extremely difficult feet on its own. Furthermore, it takes him exponentially longer in time to complete a piece of this size compared to some of the smaller pieces.The finish and high gloss effect of this piece radiates its immediate surroundings. It is definitely worthy of being in a museum and is certain to be praised by auctioneers sometime in the nearest future.
Are base plaques appropriate for a carving as a corporate gift?
So I had a corporate client who bought a gorgeous 'Jimmy Iqaluq' carving from us today.
In the process of assisting him with the transaction, he asked me the style of base he should affix this carving to when presenting to his client.
I suggested that I personally preferred having no base. I find overall, a base draws the viewers attention away from the carving by distracting away to the other fixtures like the base or the written placards on it.
A carving is supposed to be close to its elements of nature and have an overall minimalist appearance to it. What draws audiences to Inuit carvings is their balance between tradition and abstract. The Inuit seem to have found the perfect balance with these two styles.
Having a carving set onto a base in my opinion takes away from this minimalist and abstract feel and adds a certain tackiness and unnecessary loudness to the piece.
If you are insistent on going with a base, than be certain not to have the carving glued on. Reason why is because most carvings have the signature located on the bottom of the piece which will be lost forevor should it be glued to a base.
Secondly, its nice for the client to always have that option of taking it off or on.They will be very appreciative of having that option.
In summary, I still feel no base is the best way to go when presenting a carving as a corporate gift.
Avatak (Avataq)
Last week we received a very interesting question from a customer. He was looking at a Kayak by Jimmy Iqaluq and asked what was wrong with the seal in the back. Is it headless? What's that peg sticking out of it? Bryce decided to get more info from the source and contacted Jimmy's wife Jeenie in Sanikiluaq.
So what you are seeing is what the Inuit call an 'Avatak'. It is like a floater (you would use for fishing), but instead it is attached to the end of a harpoon 'Nikisk'. It is made of wood or caribou antler, and helps the hunter to keep track of the seal.
The reason there is no head, is because like a fish, after the seal is caught, when the hunter is on his way home (like this kayak), he will 'clean' the seal, thus removing all the insides (guts, etc..). The Inuit also cut the head off and plug the opening hole of the seal with the wooden Avatak (the floater). Plugging it keeps the air inside.
So Bryce had to ask, where do they put the head? And Jeenie told that they simply eat it!
Regarding the actual carving, it is extremely beautiful. Jimmy is a word class Inuit artist who has been in countless exhibitions around the world. The proportions are amazing and the stone is refined to a very smooth finish. It is certainly a world class carving worthy of any centrepiece.
Besides carvings, you can also find avataq in Cape dorset Inuit prints. Here is one of the examples: http://www.inuitprint.ca/products/2001-avataq-by-mary-pudlat
Further reading about avataq:
http://www.isuma.tv/en/inuit-culture-education/sila-encyclopedia?atom_id=avatak_entry
How to Sell Inuit Soapstone Carvings
Message to clients: We do not purchase carvings from private sellers. Our mandate is to support the Inuit carvers only.
We have been getting a lot of questions lately like “how do I sell my Inuit art collection that I inherited?” or “I am downsizing and cannot bring my large collection of Inuit soapstone carvings with me, what would you recommend?” There are many ways to sell you soapstone sculptures, here are a few of them.
First and foremost, you absolutely need to get your piece appraised. To do this, you need to contact a certified Inuit art gallery in your local area. If you are not in a location where there is an Inuit art gallery, we offer appraisals via correspondence. Here is the link on our gallery website which will guide you through the entire process.
Why is this first step so crucial? Because it will give assertion to your potential buyer that the piece is authentic, is worth what you say its worth, and includes a certified document. Having your piece appraised is the same as having a carfax review when buying a pre-owned vehicle, or having an evaluator appraise a home in order for the bank to issue a mortgage.
Once this step is complete, then the second step is to find a buyer.
NOTE** WE DO NOT BUY PIECES FROM THE PUBLIC. Please do not call us. We sell NEW artwork only. WE PURCHASE ARTWORK FROM THE ARTISTS.
Second, advertise your collection of Inuit sculptures on Kijiji and Craigslist. It won't cost you anything and you’ll get a world wide exposure. Try to take good pictures, it may even be worth going to a photographer and getting professional pictures done.
Third, contact auction houses that sell Inuit art. Two major ones are Waddingtons; based in Toronto, and Walkers; based in Ottawa. Google them for contact info. They run Inuit art auctions two-three times a year and are constantly looking for pieces to take on consignment. Usually you would have to pay an insertion fee even if your soapstone carvings doesn’t sell, so it’s a bit of a risk.
Last, but not the least, go to your local antique shops and ask them if they would be willing to take a look at your collection and possibly buy it.
Inuit Art History
The history of Inuit Art deals directly with Inuit people and their interpretations of Inuit life, culture and the daily struggles necessary to survive. It is a celebration among the Inuit today, one which rejoices their ancestors and how they had to rely on such incredible skill, hardships and resourcefulness in order to preserve and pass on life from one generation to the next. Inuit art is used as a derivative of expressing these stories and their way of life, past and present.
The Canadian North is a vast region with only a handful of sparsely settled communities located throughout (basically the size of Australia with only 40,000 people). As such, it is only natural for the people in each community to have their own versions and interpretations of where Inuit art began and why. For the most part, during my time living in the North, I have come to the understanding from most Inuit people that Inuit carvings were first made primarily for the purpose of children's toys. and nothing more. These toys were very minimalist in nature. Like everything the Inuit made, these toys had a utilitarian purpose only and were used for the children's comfort and amusement.
In the 1830's when the Hudson's Bay company began establishing the fur trade, trading posts were part of their expansion. This is how Europeans came into contact with the Inuit. It was here that these little toy carvings took notice among the traders and to the amusement of the Inuit, were a real fascination.
Like many resourceful and inventive things the Inuit did, the Europeans thought these toys were amazing creations and an astute depiction and artifact of the Inuit people. To the Inuit, they were simply toys. None-the-less, fur traders would trade day-to-day items for these toy artifacts. It was a good trade for both sides in my opinion.
Inuit people utilized simple everyday objects to create beautiful art. The early Inuit Art includes materials such as animal hides, driftwood, stones, and animal bones. The Inuit used these materials to create workable pieces of majesty that surprised and astounded anyone who came in contact with it. Women made clothing and shoes from animal hides, stitching each piece together. They even created their own needles and thread for the sewing process from animal bones and sinew. Interestingly enough, many of the fashion pieces that were created many years ago are also used today. The Mukluk boot historically made of seal skin or caribou, has been modernized and can be found for sale. The anorak and parka are still made and sold by the Inuit artists today. Inuit people started many fashion trends.
In regards to carved objects, many of the Inuit Art pieces were depicted to show day to day activities that the Inuit were involved in, such as hunting. Since the materials were made from common things that could be found within the communities, Inuit Art was a very important part of the culture. The knives within the Inuit culture were made from walrus ivory, which is a work of art on its own. The Inuit hunters carved much of their art by hand and they mostly used ivory and bone.
During the Dorset and Pre-Dorset cultures, the Inuit Art consisted of carved birds, bears, walruses, and seals, as well as human figurines. Art in the form of small masks were also found from this era. The Inuit Art during the Ipiutak culture was one that will be remembered for its elaborate design and intricate handiwork. Some Inuit artwork that is found from this era includes geometric designs, along with anthropomorphic and animal designs. The Inuit Art from the Thule culture was one that consisted of tools and weapons that could be considered art and also could be considered things that were used on a day-to-day basis. Found were art relics such as utensils, combs, buttons, needle cases, cooking pots, cases, spears and harpoons, as well as a host of other products made to make life more appealing and interesting. The Inuit created art within their tools, pots and pans, etc. that were beautiful and ornate. The 16th century was the era when the Inuit started to barter with others in the area. They traded miniature ivory tools and things such as boats, musical instruments, rifles.
Since the year of 1945, Inuit Art has taken a turn upward. There is now a great attraction to Inuit carvings. Due to the influence of some notable people who have expressed appreciation for Inuit Art and also wanted new and more engaging pieces, the Inuit adopted new-age art techniques.
Inuit Communities
We've added information on three Inuit communities: Sanikiluaq, Cape Dorset and Kimmirut. Most of our carvings come from Sanikiluaq and Cape Dorset, that is the reason why we chose to write about these two communities first.
Check it out here.
