Lot 199

Previous image preload Next image preload

Description:

Davidialuk Alasua Amittu ᑎᕕᑎᐊᓗ (1910-1976), Puvirnituq (Povungnituk)

UNDRESSING (STORY OF NULAYUVINIQ), CA. 1959

stone, unsigned; disc number inscribed

9.5 x 6 x 3.25 in — 24.1 x 15.2 x 8.3 cm

Estimate: $4,000—6,000

    Provenance:
  • Waddington's Auctioneers, Toronto, ON, The William Eccles Collection of Eskimo Art, 23 Feb 1978, lot 128
    Private Collection, Barrie, ON
    Waddington's Auctioneers, Toronto, ON, 13 May 2021, lot 88
    Private Collection, Toronto, ON
  • Dimensions:
  • 9.5 x 6 x 3.25 in — 24.1 x 15.2 x 8.3 cm
  • Artist Name:
  • Davidialuk Alasua Amittu ᑎᕕᑎᐊᓗ (1910-1976)
  • Medium:
  • stone
  • Notes:
  • For many, Davidialuk Alasua Amittu is the preeminent Inuit storyteller in image and word. The fatal and the tragic, the mythical and the commonplace are recorded in his iconic images. The present sculpture, Undressing, tells the story of Nulayuviniq, or The One Who Suddenly Grew Big.

    In the story of Nulayuviniq, members of a migrating community return to their previous camp to retrieve a mother and children left behind. Upon arrival, they find the group has gone save for one of the children, who has apparently transformed into a giant, her mother’s amauti now dwarfed by the child’s new size, clings around her neck. The rescuers run away striking their whips at the giant, who despite her huge size cries in the voice of a baby. Slowly the rescuers are able to gain distance between themselves and the outsized infant, as they do, she becomes a small dot in the distance and is transformed into a rock island. (1)

    The present sculpture is an early and characterful iteration of the subject, formerly in the collection of William Eccles, and was sold at Waddington’s first large-scale Inuit art auction in 1978.

    (1) Zebedee Nungak and Eugene Arima, Eskimo Stories Unikkaatuat (Ottawa: National Museum of Canada, 1969), 32-33, pl. 18.
  • Condition:
  • Overall very good condition. Imperfections inherent to sculpture and in material. Minor scuffing. Please contact the specialist for further condition information.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

The Auctioneers will not undertake packing or shipping. The purchaser must designate and arrange for the services of an independent shipper and be responsible for all shipping and insurance expenses. The Auctioneers will, upon request, provide names of professional packers and shippers but will not be held responsible for the service or have any liability for providing this information. Reliable pre-auction estimates of shipping costs of lots offered in this sale may be obtained from:

PICK UP & SHIPPING FROM TORONTO:

When contacting the shippers please have your invoice # and item information ready.

PakShip
Attn: Taurus Chan
Tel: 905.470.6874
416.293.8225
Fax: 905.470.6875
[email protected]
www.pakship.ca

Safer Shipping
Attn: Perry Hehn
Tel: 416.299.3367
Fax: 416.299.9750
[email protected]
www.safershipping.ca

PICK UP & SHIPPING FROM VANCOUVER:

Please note that lots in our Waddington's West auctions are located in Vancouver, B.C. When contacting the shippers please have your invoice # and item information ready.

The UPS Store 424
Tel: 604-559-5446
[email protected]

PakMail
Tel: 604-472-6245
[email protected]
www.pakmailcanada.com

CITES WARNING:
Restrictions exist regarding the import and export of species protected under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). This includes but is not limited to items made of or containing bone (whalebone etc.), ivory, tortoise shell, seal skin, rhinoceros horn and any other animal part and is strictly controlled or forbidden by most countries. Please review your country's laws before bidding on pieces made of or containing these restricted items. It is the sole responsibility of the buyer to inquire about and obtain the proper permits for artwork purchased that may contain restricted materials, if such permit can be obtained. Please contact the department for further assistance. For more information please visit www.cites.org

May 29, 2024 7:00 PM EDT
Toronto, ON, CA

Waddington's

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
CA$0 CA$249 CA$10
CA$250 CA$499 CA$25
CA$500 CA$999 CA$50
CA$1,000 CA$1,999 CA$100
CA$2,000 CA$4,999 CA$250
CA$5,000 CA$9,999 CA$500
CA$10,000 CA$19,999 CA$1,000
CA$20,000 CA$49,999 CA$2,000
CA$50,000 CA$99,999 CA$5,000
CA$100,000 CA$299,999 CA$10,000
CA$300,000 CA$999,999 CA$25,000
CA$1,000,000 CA$1,999,999 CA$50,000
CA$2,000,000 CA$2,999,999 CA$100,000
CA$3,000,000 CA$4,999,999 CA$200,000
CA$5,000,000 + CA$300,000