I really really love this piece, especially for the straight-on view, with the extended front and tail flippers together with raised head giving this seal a great sense of force and reach, and also a sort of bold elegance, which isn't always how one might think of a seal. The black stone with natural vein running across horizontally adds to the effect, a bit like an electric current running down the center of the body. The piece is by widely exhibited Cape Dorset Inuit artist Noah Nowdlak (b. 1964; Keemikpeekaloo; Anieku), who comes from a large family of carvers (his grandfather is Manomie Shaqu and uncles Towatuga Sagouk and Enook Manomie), and I believe dates to the earlyish 1990s. (There is a good bit of information about Nowdlak online, including auction records.)
5 3/4" long x 2" wide x 2 3/4" tall and in excellent vintage condition, with a terrific presence.
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