Figure

Item number 3667/5 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 eyes, and black inlay pupils. Incised curved lines overtop eyes; three diagonal lines extend onto cheeks from sides. Ridged nose with deep and flaring nostrils above a wide open mouth; mouth is filled with square teeth, large fangs, and a tongue carved in relief. Figure's chin juts out at an angle. Entire body is thin with slightly bent knees and small feet; arms carved in relief, curving around back of body. Protruding from the figure's waist is an animal-like head. Face is tapered with black inlay pupils. Identical oval and linear designs around eyes; nostrils are circle cutouts. Semi-circular protrusions on either side of face extend into large fangs, with square teeth in between. Figure's feet and the creature's fangs 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.