Figure

Item number 3667/15 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Carved tupilaq (tupilak). Standing human-like figure with a cone-shaped head, wide hooded eyes, and black inlay pupils. Rows of curved lines overtop eyes, extending up onto forehead. Nose done in relief with deep flaring nostrils. Figure has a wide partially open mouth, filled with square teeth; chin juts out. Body has a long torso and short legs, with feet angled backwards; arms stretched and partially curved in front of body. Second head extends from front of figure. Head is square-shaped and has pointed ears. Black inlay eyes underneath long curved lines, imitating eyebrows. Wide nose done in relief, with flaring nostrils. Head has a partially open, oval-shaped mouth, filled with square teeth. Hollow cone shape extends from centre of chest, through second head. Figure's feet and bottom of second head form base of carving. Carving is 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.