Eskimo Inuit Steatite Carved Seal; Daniel Kasudluak Settlement: Port Harrison / Inukjuak (b1925)

ca. 1960 – 1970

2.125″ H x 5.875″ L x 3.375″ W

Daniel Kasudluak
Settlement: Port Harrison / Inukjuak
(b1925)

Hand Carved from Steatite Stone of a Seal Laying on his Side With Makers Markings on Back

In Very Good Condition with Minor Wear

Inuit (traditionally referred to as Eskimo in some contexts) carvings of seals are a classic subject in Indigenous Arctic art. Seals hold deep cultural significance as a vital source of food, clothing, oil, and tools for survival in harsh northern environments.

Modern Inuit stone carving emerged in the late 1940s1950s, encouraged by initiatives like James Houston’s projects to provide economic opportunities in northern communities. Artists often use steatite (commonly known as soapstone), a soft, talc-based stone that’s easy to carve and polish, though many contemporary pieces use harder stones like serpentine.

Seal carvings typically depict the animal in realistic posesresting, basking, or swimmingand range from a few inches to larger sculptures. They are frequently signed in Inuktitut syllabics, Roman letters, or with government-issued disc numbers, and may bear authentic Canadian Eskimo Art tags.