Description:

Niviaxie (Niviaksiak) ᓂᕕᐊᓯ (1909-1959), Kinngait (Cape Dorset)
THE ARCHER, 1960

sealskin stencil
titled, dated, and numbered 8/50; artist's name in Roman
sight 22 x 11.75 in — 55.9 x 29.8 cm

Estimate: $7,000—10,000 CAD

  • Provenance: S. Family Collection, Toronto, ON
  • Dimensions: sight 22 x 11.75 in — 55.9 x 29.8 cm
  • Medium: sealskin stencil
  • Notes: Visually distinctive for its simplified composition and effective use of overlays of colour (a difficult and complicated technique), Niviaxie’s The Archer is a triumph of early Kinngait printmaking, and a testament to the talent of Niviaxie, as well as printmaker Iyola Kingwatsiak.

    The reductive forms and directionality in the composition of The Archer are reminiscent of Niviaxie’s other iconic image, Man Hunting at Seal Hole in the Ice from 1959. Little is known about the short career, or the untimely and mysterious death of Niviaxie, although his small oeuvre has held an outsized presence in the early history of Kinngait graphics.

    The Archer is one of forty-five works in the present auction from a pioneering and important Toronto collection of Inuit art, the S. Family Collection.

    Distinguished by its remarkable diversity, and uniformly high quality, the collection was built on over fifty years of dedication. Acquisitions were made both from the leading dealers and private collectors of the period, as well as directly from artists during several excursions to the north, including to Qamani'tuaq (Baker Lake), and Arviat.

    Although the S. Family organized a handful of exhibitions specializing in sculpture, many artworks from their personal collection have remained largely unknown to the collector community. Significant sculptures and graphics come from artists including Davie Atchealak, Ooviloo Tunillie, Parr, John Tiktak, Joe Talirunili, Kiugak Ashoona, Nuna Parr, Aqjangajuk Shaa, and Mathew Aqigaaq.
  • Condition: Please contact the specialist for further condition information.

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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

20 November 2025 18:00 EST
Toronto, ON, CA

Waddington's

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $25,000:
25.00%
$25,001+:
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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
CA$0 CA$199 CA$10
CA$200 CA$499 CA$20
CA$500 CA$999 CA$50
CA$1,000 CA$1,999 CA$100
CA$2,000 CA$4,999 CA$200
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