Poupée, Inuit, probablement Diomede Island ,Alaska

Du corps stylisé en cylindre émerge, portée par un cou étroit, une tête ovoïde animée par une bouche en croissant profondément incisée, les yeux ovoïdes sertis de nacre, la pupille percée. Traces de pigments rouges sur le visage, noirs sur le corps et le cou.

Collection Jay C. Leff, Uniontown
Sotheby's, New York, octobre 1983, n° 384
James Economos, New York
Collection privée, New York

The doll is in very good original condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Les poupées – d'une infinie variété – sculptées par les Inuit, étaient le plus souvent conçues pour le jeu et destinées aux petites filles. Parfois, un chaman créait une poupée, en bois ou en ivoire, afin de favoriser la fécondité d'un couple sans enfant. Parvenue sans information de collecte, la signification de cette poupée demeure inconnue.

cf. Fitzhugh et Kaplan (1982 : 157, no. 191) et Feder (1965 : 67, no. 67) pour des poupées comparables.

An Inuit doll, probably Diomede Island, United States of America

There is a seemingly infinite variety of Inuit dolls, most of which were designed for young girls to play with. Occasionally a shaman would create a doll from wood or ivory in order to help a childless couple, who would take care of the doll in the hope that it would come to life in the woman's womb. Without any information on the history of the piece's collection, the significance of this doll remains unknown. See Fitzhugh and Kaplan (1982: 157, no. 191) and Feder (1965: 67, no. 67) for comparable dolls.