Figure Item Number: 3667/11 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Carved tupilaq (tupilak). Prone creature with a large head and half skeletal body. It has a long snout with wide, circular nostrils and a gaping mouth; mouth has four sharp fangs and a protruding tongue. Oval-shaped eyes are done in relief with hollowed out pupils. Right side of body has flipper-like limbs; forelimb pointed downward, hindlimb pointed backward. Left side depicts skeletal frame of flipper-like limbs; ribs and vertebrae carved in relief. Cone-shape hollowed out across base. Forelimbs and bottom of jaw 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
- 3667/11
- Type of Item
- figure
- Material
- whale tooth
- Overall
- height 3.8 cm, width 3.6 cm, depth 10.4 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
- 3667/0011