Lot 123

Canadian Inuit Soapstone Carving of Chubby Walrus

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Canadian Inuit Soapstone Carving of Chubby Walrus

Estimate: $400 - $600

Starting Bid: $150

(0 Bids)

by Artemis Fine Arts
July 14, 2026 9:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

First Nations / Canadian, Inuit, ca. 20th century CE. A delightful soapstone carving of a plump walrus, rendered with rounded folds of blubber and a charmingly compact form. The chin has two small drill holes where tusks of bone or ivory were once inserted but are now lost. On the underside, a faintly incised disc number appears to read E-9-1360, though scratches make it nearly indiscernible. If correctly identified, this rotund walrus is likely the work of Nowya Qinuajua (b. 1923) of Akulivik, Quebec, whose sculptures are represented in several museum and institutional collections. Size: 4.5" L x 2.75" W x 2.5" H (11.4 cm x 7 cm x 6.4 cm)

Provenance: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA collection

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Item # 196959

  • Condition: Good. Nicks and abrasions to the head and other high pointed areas, but otherwise intact. The disc number on the base is covered with scratches and not easily discernable.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000