Figure Item Number: 3667/12 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Carved tupilaq (tupilak). Hollow cone-shaped figure with two faces on the front; back splits into thin legs with small feet. Faces are stacked on top of one another. Top face is rounded and has square-shaped eyes with black pupil inlay; deep nostrils underneath eyes. Wide mouth carved in relief, filled with square teeth. Bottom face has square-shaped eyes with black pupil inlay. Curved lines overtop eyes and three lines extending horizontally from sides of eyes; round cutout nostrils below. Mouth is wide and partially open, filled with square teeth. Jaw of bottom face and feet along back form carving's base. 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
- Made in Greenland during 1960
- Owned by Stuart Buchanan Cameron before 2014
- Owned by Mairel Johnston before July 28, 2024
- Received from Mairel Johnston (Donor) on July 28, 2024
What
- Name
- Figure
- Identification Number
- 3667/12
- Type of Item
- figure
- Material
- baleen ? and whale tooth
- Overall
- height 8.6 cm, width 3.2 cm, depth 3.5 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
- good
- Accession Number
- 3667/0012