Amazing miniature Inuit amulet on caribou leather thong.
The chosen stone here is amazing, with a wide vein running across the cheeks, almost like a traditional Inuit face tattoo.
Faintly signed on reverse side: Si-a-ja (sarah) then ku – a-?
The signature may be Sarah QUARAK ?
Community: Kuujjuaraapik Date: 1901-1964
E-number: E9-90 Sex: F
Medium of choice: stone
Alternate names: Quarak Quarak • Sarah Quarak • Quarek Quarak
Dimensions: This miniature amulet is 2 1/8" high x 1 3/8" wide x ½ " deep (39 mm x 54 mm x 12 mm). The thong is 9.25” (18.5 inches in circumference). It is tied at the end. I have not tried to unknot it.
About Inuit Amulets
According to the Canadian Museum of History:
One area of Inuit artistic expression during the historic period was the making of amulets. Before the advent of missionaries, amulets were part of the people's daily life.
"While the human soul was considered to be powerful and the main source of all hotsell women's and men's strength, inevitably difficulties arose that could not be resolved by mortals alone. Each Inuk therefore had a helping spirit or 'familiar,' who aided the hunt and other ventures and protected the person from sickness and accidents.
The most common varieties of amulets were the feather of an owl, a bear's tooth, and the like .... It was often part of the shaman's responsibilities to make amulets.
In the Ungava region ( where Sanikiluaq is located) some charms were worn to ward off attacks of evil-disposed spirits; others served as remembrances of deceased relatives.
Product code: Inuit Art hotsell * Miniature Amulet on Caribou Leather Thong * Signed Si-a-ja