Lukasi Ananagi Amamartua
Canadian, born 1935Figure Chiseling, 20th century
Not on view
Soapstone
Dimensions13 3/4 × 6 × 6 in. (34.9 × 15.2 × 15.2 cm)
Bequest of Russell J. Cameron , 1997.38
Beginning in the 1800s, after the arrival of many whalers, traders, explorers, missionaries, and others, the Inuit people began to create objects for trade or barter. The Inuit realized the value of their sculpture, and their ability to create “likenesses (sananguaq)”.
The Inuit carvers also discovered the most finished, high quality works were the most valued by collectors. The early Inuit carvings were mainly small size and were referred to as "whittles." The "whittles" were originally made as toys or used to barter.
