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Narrative

Purchased by the donors from the Marion Scott Gallery in 1980. In 1985 Reesor wrote to the artist asking for translations of the syllabics on the tusks, and received translations back, drawn on paper. The syllabic inscription on the back of tusk (part b), is said to translate to: Kioga Ashoona, I shot the walrus in 1979 September, I worked on the tusk Sept 15 1979; walrus shot near Cape Dorset; I used chisel tool to write on tusk; Thank you for buying it.

Specific Techniques

scrimshaw; scrollwork

Description

Large, green stone, multi-figure carving (part a), with walrus tusk projections standing upright at each side (parts b-c); sides of tusks with drawings face forward. Base of carving is an arm, with a raised fist on left end, and simple animal features on right. Hand is clenched around a cone-like shape. Animal has large deep eyes carved into either side of arm, and a set of whiskers incised towards the centre, along the base's edge. Large loon is sitting on centre of arm; legs hanging down either side. Bird's body is facing towards the hand, head turned backwards. Large fish hanging from loon's beak, with head touching back of bird's body. Tusk projections are incised with drawings and attach to the stone with wooden dowels. Tusk on right side (part b), above animal, is incised with four brown ink drawings on one side (from top): fish, loon, person, walrus; the other side has three harpoons and syllabics in brown. Tusk attached above fist (part c) is incised on both sides with black ink drawings. One side has (from top): seal, bird, 2 wolves, and walrus; the other side has drawings of three types of clothing (from top): k'arlik, koliktar, and amautik.