Arctic Myth and Sculpture, 1993, fig. 161, p. 183
Lot offered for sale by Walker's, Ottawa at the auction event "Inuit Art Auction - November 4, 2012" held on Sun, Nov 4, 2012.
Lot 162
Lot 162
Estimate: CAD $3,000 - $4,000
Realised: CAD $5,605
Realised: CAD $5,605
Lot description - from the online catalogue*
DON MAGANAK (1947-) GJOA HAVEN
Helping Spirits, 1990, whale bone, ivory and inlay, 11.5 x 20.5 x 7.25 in, 29.2 x 52.1 x 8.4 cm
Illustrated in Harold Seidelman and James Turner, The Inuit Imagination: Arctic Myth and Sculpture, 1993, fig. 161, p. 183.
Exhibited in The Inuit Imagination travelling exhibition (WAG, 1993-94). ). Exhibited in Immaginario Inuit (Palazzo Forti, Verona, Italy, 1995).
For a quite similar composition by Maganak, see Darlene Coward Wight et al, The Harry Winrob Collection of Inuit Sculpture (WAG, 2008), p. 48.
While bear and walrus spirit helpers might have bestowed a shaman with ferocity and brute strength, bird familiars could confer the cherished gift of flight. While the larger helping spirits are often depicted "taking over" the body of a shaman (see Lot 163), bird spirits are usually shown perching on the shaman's head or shoulders.
Most realised prices include the Buyer's Premium of 18-25%, but not the HST/GST Tax.
(*) Text and/or Image might be subject matter of Copyright. Check with Walker's auction house for permission to use.
(*) Text and/or Image might be subject matter of Copyright. Check with Walker's auction house for permission to use.