Shapeshifter Inuit Carving

A hand-carved soapstone sculpture that seems to represent a human transforming into a seal (or vice versa). Inuit, Nunavut (Canada), mid 20th century. Possibly a reference to this story, one of many about the mythic Inuit hero Kiviuq:

Seems that one time, Kiviuq was visiting an old woman and her grandson. The men in the village all bullied and abused the poor boy for some reason… So, the grandmother changed the boy into a seal. He swam out to sea, and the men followed him in their kayaks to hunt him down. The grandmother then called up a big storm, which drowned everyone— except for the seal boy, and his friend Kiviuq.

Signed "JOSHUA" in Roman alphabet, possibly Joshua Nappatu Qaqutu (b. 1936) of Povungnituk / Puvirnituq. Also, the number 67904, and a worn “Igloo Tag” (CEAAD sticker).

7” x 6” x 3”