Inuit Soapstone Hunter Carving

This is a hand-carved Inuit sculpture, likely composed of dark green or mottled charcoal soapstone (steatite), depicting a hunter in a dynamic, crouched stance. The figure is dressed in a traditional parka with incised decorative trim around the hood, waist, and cuffs, reflecting the artistic style of mid-to-late 20th-century Canadian Arctic cooperatives. The face is carved from a lighter, contrasting stone or possibly bone/antler, which has been inlaid into the dark stone hood—a technique known as 'composite' or 'inlay' carving used to create visual depth. The hunter holds a long wooden or copper spear shaft topped with a flat, light-colored spearhead (possibly bone or light stone). The craftsmanship shows smooth, polished surfaces on the body with fine, hatched line-work for the garment details. The sculpture is mounted on an integral rectangular soapstone base that displays a rugged, earthy patina. Condition-wise, the piece appears well-preserved, though there is visible surface dust and light scuffing on the toe of the left boot and edges of the base consistent with age. No major fractures or repairs are immediately apparent. Style-wise, this appears to be a 1970s or 1980s era piece from regions such as Cape Dorset or Povungnituk, characterized by its sturdy proportions and narrative action pose.

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