Description:

Pauta Saila ᐸᐅᑕ ᓯᓚ, RCA (1916-2009), Kinngait (Cape Dorset)
DANCING WALRUS, CA. 1970

stone, whalebone
signed in Roman; accompanied by a "Canada Eskimo Art" tag inscribed "Cape Dorset / Walrus / Pauta"
18 x 16 x 9.5 in — 45.7 x 40.6 x 24.1 cm

Estimate: $15,000—20,000 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 plant or animal 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: The Snow Goose, Ottawa, ON, 1972
    Private Collection, Toronto, ON
  • Dimensions: 18 x 16 x 9.5 in — 45.7 x 40.6 x 24.1 cm
  • Medium: stone, whalebone
  • Notes: The foremost carver of bears in his lifetime, Pauta was perhaps also the most dedicated and prolific in his exploration of the subject. Notably however, the artist did find time for other muses, as in this remarkable and monumental dancing walrus, circa 1970.

    Interestingly, Pauta’s talented and powerful camp-leading father was associated with his gift for hunting walruses, as Pauta was noted for his affinity with bears.[1] Although significant examples of walruses are infrequent, even rare, in Pauta’s oeuvre, like any Innuk hunter of his generation, the subject would have been intimately familiar to him.

    In the present work Pauta has carefully captured the dark skin behind the walrus’ whiskers by orienting the sculpture so that the black striations of the Markham Bay stone colour the nose of the creature.

    The walrus exudes the playful exultant air which Pauta always insisted was not purely fanciful, but was present in his subjects.

    This lot is accompanied by the original 1972 bill of sale from The Snow Goose Gallery.

    [1] Norman Hallendy, Inuksuit: Silent Messengers of the Arctic (Vancouver/Toronto: Douglas & MacIntyre, 2000), 25.
  • Condition: Very good overall condition.
    Minor imperfections.
    Break and repair to proper left tusk at juncture of tusk to face.

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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

May 29, 2025 6:00 PM EDT
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%

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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