Inuit School carving, Whale & Calf
As far as I can tell it is unsigned. I bought this at online estate sale. Owner stated it was bought by him at a auction in Detroit MI and it came from the Booth family estate called Cranbrook House. A down sizing of thier collection. It has some scraps and a chip on base. Unknown what it is carved out of, if it was man made by artist or mass produced.
19"H. 15"L. 7"W. 80lbs
Online Auction
Yes
Hi Greg,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
This recalls Inuit carved stone sculptures of whales, seals, walruses and other marine life in the Arctic regions of Canada, Greenland, Alaska, and Russia. They used a variety of stone, including Soapstone or “steatite”, as well as chrysotile, olivine, chlorite, serpentine, and peridotite. As to value, there's little difference between these various materials.
A similar sculpture sold recently at an auction in California for $550 (https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/106879597_inuit-school-humpback-whales-carved-stone)
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
Inuit School, 20th Century
Whale and calf
carved stone, unsigned
Height 19 inches, 15 length 15 inches, depth 7 inches
Weight: 80 pounds
CONDITION: This sculpture appears to be in good condition with a few small surface chips
PROVENANCE: Acquired from an online auction; purportedly with history to the Booth Family and Cranbrook House, Detroit, Mich.
$500-700*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia
