Figure Item Number: 3667/13 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, and extending onto forehead. Nose is short and wide, with deep and flaring nostrils. Figure has a wide mouth filled with square teeth; jutting chin. Entire body is thin with feet shoulder width apart. Figure has their arms bent at elbows, with their hands curving around the forehead of an animal-like head; space between arms is solid, forming a small shelf. Face of animal is square with pointed ears; bulging eyes with black inlay pupils underneath arms of standing figure. Nose is short and wide, with deep and flaring nostrils. Large fangs protrude from bottom corners of head, with square teeth in between. Small hollow in bottom centre of shelf formed between arms. Figure's feet and the creature's fangs form the carving's base. Unsigned; label attached to back.

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
3667/13
Type of Item
figure
Material
whale tooth and baleen ?
Overall
height 9.3 cm, width 3.8 cm, depth 3.7 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
3667/0013