Figure Item Number: 3667/8 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Carved tupilaq (tupilak). Standing human-like figure with a cone-shaped head, wide circular eyes, and black inlay pupils. Rows of curved lines above eyes, imitating eyebrows; three diagonal lines extend from outer sides of eyes, onto cheeks. Nose done in relief with deep and flaring nostrils. Figure has a wide, partially open mouth, filled with square teeth; chin juts out. Thin body has a long torso, short legs, and small feet; arms stretched and partially curved in front of body. Small human-like face extends from front of figure, with arms that point straight down. Face is rectangular with black inlay pupils; raised circles in between eyes, and diagonal lines extend from the sides, onto cheeks. Nose is short and wide, with cutout nostrils. Open mouth rounds out at the sides; filled with square teeth. Space between main figure's body and the second's is hollow. Figure's feet and second figure's hands and mouth form base of carving. Unsigned.

Narrative

Donated by Stuart Buchanan Cameron in loving memory of his mother Mairel Jeannie Cameron (September 10, 1896-June 22, 1976). Cameron collected this set of tupilaqs while working at a DEW line station in Greenland, during the late 1950s or 1960s.

Item History

What

Name
Figure
Identification Number
3667/8
Type of Item
figure
Material
baleen ? and whale tooth
Overall
height 11.4 cm, width 3.2 cm, depth 4.8 cm

Who

Culture
Inuit
Previous Owner
Stuart Buchanan Cameron and Mairel Johnston
Received from
Mairel Johnston (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Greenland

When

Creation Date
during 1960
Ownership Date
before 2014 and before July 28, 2024
Acquisition Date
on July 28, 2024

Other

Item Classes
carvings & sculpture
Condition
fair
Accession Number
3667/0008