Description:

Pauta Saila ᐸᐅᑕ ᓯᓚ, RCA (1916-2009), Kinngait (Cape Dorset)
DANCING BEAR, CA. 1986
stone, ivory
signed in syllabics

Estimate: $25,000—35,000 CAD

Important:
Many countries prohibit or restrict importation or exportation of property containing ivory, whale bone, sealskin, and/or products derived from other endangered or protected species, and require special licenses or permits in order to import or export such property. It is the responsibility of the buyer to ensure that the item is properly and lawfully exported / imported. Please do not hesitate to contact one of our specialists for further details.

  • Provenance: Acquired directly from the Artist by Claude Baud, Douai, France
    Private Collection, France
  • Dimensions: 12.75 x 7.5 x 5.25 in — 34.3 x 19.1 x 13.3 cm
  • Exhibited: Musée d'Arras, Arras, FR, 1987.
    Musée du Ranquet, Clermont-Ferrand, FR, 1998.
    Musée de l'Ardenne, Charleville-Mézières, FR, 1999.
    Musée de Sarlat, Sarlat, FR, 2002.
    Nice-Acropolis, Nice, FR, 2005-2006.
    Musée Océanographique de Monaco, Monaco, 2006.
  • Literature: Claude Baud, Michel Jacot, and Brice Irène, Art Inuit: La Sculpture Et L'estampe Contemporaines Des Esquimaux Du Canada = Art Inuit: Contemporary Sculpture and Print of the Canadian Eskimo (Paris, FR.: Fragments Éditions, 1997), 8.
  • Medium: stone, ivory
  • Notes: This well-travelled bear has been on the road since it left Pauta Saila’s studio in the mid-1980s. For over 30 years, it has been exhibited in museums across France and Monaco, before finally returning to its country of origin. (An expanded exhibition history can be found above.)

    The sculpture was acquired directly from the artist by Claude Baud, who featured it in his 1997 book Art Inuit: Contemporary Sculpture and Print of The Canadian Eskimo.

    In the Inuit cosmology, the veil between the realms of the deceased, the living and that of spirits was thin. These realms were most adeptly negotiated by the Shaman, who was trained to act as an intermediary. Shamans were often aided in their tasks by benevolent spirits – the spirit of the polar bear was especially revered – and might be called upon through drumming and dance. Once summoned, spirit helpers might take on the material form of the shaman or visa versa as may be the case here.

    Though the dancing bear is a common and recognizable subject in Inuit art, none are more famous than Saila’s. Among the first to carve this subject, Saila is able to combine power with playfulness, which culminates here in a particularly dynamic example.
  • Condition: Very good overall condition.
    Minor imperfections.
    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

November 28, 2024 6:00 PM 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+:
22.00%

View full terms and conditions

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