Peter John Seeganna (1938-1974) - Ceremonial Dance

Ceremonial Dance

stone, ivory
8.9 cms x 15.2 cms x 8.31 cms (3.5 ins x 5.98 ins x 3.5 ins)
C. 1965, Signed In Roman
sculpted in 1965
Lot offered for sale by Waddington's, Toronto at the auction event "Inuit Art Auction" held on Mon, Jun 2, 2014.
Lot 345
Estimate: CAD $600 - $900
Sale price withheld by the Auction house

Lot description - from the online catalogue*


Following contact with the missionaries, masked dancing of the King Islanders saw a decline or was practiced in secrecy. One such ceremony dance has the participants perform an invitational dance that features walrus vocalizations as a component of rhythm for the chorus. Here the artist depicts two of the dancers in traditional ceremonial masks, on the left a female shaman and the right a walrus mask.

Alaska Native Art: Tradition, Innovation, Continuity, Susan W. Fair, 2006, p. 159, pl. 185

For a similar piece, see cat. no. 25/9855, National Museum of the American Indian (Washington, DC)
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 Waddington's auction house for permission to use.
Ceremonial Dance by artist Peter John Seeganna