Figure

Item number 3667/17 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

Item Records

This page shows all the information we have about this item. Both the institution that physically holds this item, and RRN members have contributed the knowledge on this page. You’re looking at the item record provided by the holding institution. If you scroll further down the page, you’ll see the information from RRN members, and can share your own knowledge too.

The RRN processes the information it receives from each institution to make it more readable and easier to search. If you’re doing in-depth research on this item, be sure to take a look at the Data Source tab to see the information exactly as it was provided by the institution.

These records are easy to share because each has a unique web address. You can copy and paste the location from your browser’s address bar into an email, word document, or chat message to share this item with others.

Data
Data Source

This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.

Description

Carved tupilaq (tupilak). Human-like figure with a cone-shaped head, wide circular eyes, and black inlay pupils. Curved incised lines over eyes, imitating eyebrows; additional lines across bridge of nose, and across cheeks. Nose is done in relief with deep flaring nostrils. Figure has an open mouth, full of square teeth and large fangs; tongue carved in relief. Figure's chin is flat and angled downward; entire body is thin with small feet. Figure has their arms bent at elbows, with their hands resting on a large head; space between arms is solid, forming a small shelf. Second head is rectangular with two pointed ears along the top edge. It has semi-circular eyes with black inlay pupils; incised lines across forehead and additional lines extending diagonally from sides of eyes. The head has a wide nose, with flaring nostrils, and a large open mouth, full of square teeth. Partly hollow triangle visible on back of second head. Figure's feet and the bottom of the second head 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.