Eskimo Art and Artifacts: Inuit and Yupik Carvings and Crafts

Eskimo art and artifacts, more accurately described as Inuit and Yupik art, encompasses the sculptural carvings, tools, clothing, and decorative objects created by the indigenous peoples of the Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Siberia. In the antiques and collectibles market, this category includes both ancient archaeological artifacts and contemporary carvings, with soapstone (steatite) sculptures, ivory carvings, and scrimshaw being the most actively traded items.

History and Cultural Context

• Ancient period: Archaeological artifacts dating back thousands of years, including Dorset, Thule, and Old Bering Sea cultures
• Contact period (18th-19th centuries): Trade items and objects reflecting European contact
• 1949-present: Modern Inuit art movement begins in Canada, spurred by James Houston's work in Cape Dorset
• Cape Dorset and Baker Lake: Major centers of contemporary Inuit printmaking and sculpture
• The term "Eskimo" is used in the antiques trade but "Inuit" (for Canadian and Greenlandic peoples) and "Yupik" (for Alaskan and Siberian peoples) are the preferred cultural terms

Types of Collectibles

• Soapstone (steatite) carvings: Figures of hunters, animals, spirits, and daily life scenes; the most common collectible category
• Ivory carvings: Walrus ivory figures, cribbage boards, and decorative objects
• Scrimshaw: Engraved walrus ivory and whale bone with incised scenes
• Prints and drawings: Limited edition prints from Cape Dorset, Baker Lake, and other cooperatives
• Baskets: Baleen (whale bone) baskets from Alaska, often with ivory finials
• Masks: Carved wooden ceremonial masks, primarily from Yupik tradition
• Tools and weapons: Harpoon heads, ulus (women's knives), and fishing implements
• Clothing: Parkas, mukluks, and accessories made from caribou, seal, and bird skins

Auction Price Ranges

Identification and Authentication

• Genuine soapstone has a characteristic soft, soapy feel and is easily scratched with a fingernail
• Authentic ivory shows natural grain patterns; synthetic materials lack these
• Cape Dorset prints bear cooperative stamps, edition numbers, and artist signatures
• Contemporary carvings often include artist identification tags or cooperative labels
• Archaeological artifacts require documentation of provenance and legal acquisition
• Ivory and marine mammal products are subject to strict import/export regulations under CITES and the Marine Mammal Protection Act

Condition Factors

• Soapstone carvings should be intact; breaks and repairs are visible and reduce value
• Ivory pieces naturally develop patina and slight yellowing with age; this is expected and valued
• Prints should be unfaded and free of foxing or water damage
• Baleen baskets should retain their shape and have intact starting knots and finials
• Masks should retain original paint and any attached elements (feathers, fur)

Collecting Tips

• Artist attribution is critical for contemporary carvings; works by recognized artists command significant premiums
• Legal compliance is essential: ivory trade regulations are strict and vary by jurisdiction; verify legality before buying or selling
• Cape Dorset prints by artists like Kenojuak Ashevak, Pitseolak Ashoona, and Pudlo Pudlat are the most valuable in the printmaking category
• Archaeological artifacts should have clear provenance documentation; undocumented pieces may be subject to repatriation claims
• The market distinguishes sharply between tourist-grade carvings and museum-quality works by recognized artists
• Contemporary Inuit art has been exhibited in major museums worldwide and is increasingly recognized as fine art