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Walrus

Arts of the Americas

These six objects reflect the importance of hunting to Arctic peoples. For millennia, Indigenous communities have not only relied on animals for sustenance but also incorporated parts of them, such as tusks and hide,into a variety of art forms.

Some objects, like the fishing lures displayed here, were produced for personal use, while the three stone sculptures were made to be sold. Of the commercial objects, the walrus figurine and the hunters in a model kayak are naturalistic, while the sculpture of a shaman transforming into a seal is enigmatic and likely depicts a creation story.
CULTURE Inuit
MEDIUM Soapstone, ivory
  • Place Made: Canada
  • DATES 1950–1980
    DIMENSIONS 2 1/4 x 1 3/4 x 4 in. (5.7 x 4.4 x 10.2 cm)  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS Arts of the Americas
    ACCESSION NUMBER 2004.79.13
    CREDIT LINE Hilda and Al Schein Collection
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Walrus of black stone; tusks of ivory. Sits with head turned to one side; leans on front flippers. Sculpted carefully in the round, including bottom. Attention to detail. Condition good. Tusks crudely glued in place.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Inuit. Walrus, 1950–1980. Soapstone, ivory, 2 1/4 x 1 3/4 x 4 in. (5.7 x 4.4 x 10.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Hilda and Al Schein Collection, 2004.79.13. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.2004.79.13-1.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, CUR.2004.79.13-1.jpg., 2018
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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