Handmade Tapestry Appraisal

Inuit Felt Tapestry

The item is a rectangular felt tapestry depicting an Inuit scene in Northern Canada. The tapestry has a dark background, likely dark navy or black, which forms the sky and water. Vibrant orange felt is used for two large hills or mountains in the upper section. Various figures and animals are appliquéd onto the felt background using different colored felt pieces and white thread for details and outlines. Featured elements include several Inuit figures dressed in traditional parkas (blue, pink, red) engaged in activities such as fishing or hunting, a white polar bear, several dogs (white, orange-brown, grey), seals (grey, red), and white representations of icebergs or snow formations. White horizontal lines represent water or ice cracks, and small triangular shapes perhaps denote ice fragments or snowdrifts. The figures and animals are outlined with white stitching, and some also have internal details stitched in white. The overall style is graphic and somewhat naive, characteristic of mid-20th-century Inuit art in this medium. The felt appears to be in good condition with no obvious tears or significant staining, although the edges are not fully visible in the image to assess wear. The stitching appears consistent and neat, indicating skilled craftsmanship. The back of the tapestry is not visible, so manufacturing marks or signatures cannot be confirmed from the image provided. Based on the context provided, it is estimated to date from around 1960.