Figure Item Number: 3667/16 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Carved tupilaq (tupilak). Standing figure with curving horns and a square-like head. Sunken black inlay eyes are directly under the horns, and they have diagonal lines above them, imitating eyebrows; large nostrils are carved in centre of face with straight and diagonal lines around them. Wide, open mouth is full of small square teeth; diagonal lines underneath bottom row of teeth. All carved lines around eyes and cheeks extend around sides of head. Figure is slightly hunched with their arms fully extended in front of their body, at an angle. Chest is flat before tapering at waist; legs bent slightly at knees and narrow to thin, curved feet. Figure's feet 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
- 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
- 3667/16
- Type of Item
- figure
- Material
- whale tooth and baleen ?
- Overall
- height 12.4 cm, width 4.1 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
- 3667/0016