Figure Item Number: 3667/9 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Carved tupilaq (tupilak). Standing human-like figure with a cone-shaped head, wide eyes, and black inlay pupils. Incised curved lines above eyes, imitating eyebrows, and extending onto forehead. Three diagonal lines extend from outer sides of eyes, onto cheeks. Figure has deep flaring nostrils above a partially open mouth, filled with square teeth; chin juts out. Entire body is thin with short legs, and small feet. Figure has their arms extending outward, wrapping around the forehead of an animal-like head; space between arms is solid. Face of animal is square and has oval-shaped eyes, with black inlay pupils. Curved lines above eyes, with diagonal lines extending from their outer sides. Nose is short and wide, with deep and flaring nostrils. Large fangs extend from bottom corners of head, with square teeth in between. Cone-shape hollow across back of animal head, that extends towards arms of figure. Figure's feet and the creature's fangs form the 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

What

Name
Figure
Identification Number
3667/9
Type of Item
figure
Material
whale tooth and baleen ?
Overall
height 11.0 cm, width 3.2 cm, depth 6.5 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
3667/0009