I am quite confident this carved articulated figure is Inuit--the face tells me that, but then the sinew tied joints confirm it (and the detail of those sinew joints at the hips is especially finely done, with carved wooden pegs to either side, holding it tight--see detail photos.) In my experience it is quite rare to find a carved Inuit figure of this scale, constructed in a very similar to a jig figure, down to those large, flat feet (but no hole for a dowel in his back.) Surely he was once clothed in a traditional hide parka and pants and boots, long gone--but I'm very glad to be able to fully see his very expressive face (feels like he's feeling the weight of the world) and his careful construction, and this way he has full mobility, too, able to sit upright himself, or comfortably atop a box or block as pictured. I would guess second quarter 20th century, but he may be older than that.
14 7/8" t x 3 3/4" w at shoulders. Beautiful condition, warm patina, sinew at all joints, lovely.
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