Inuit Oviloo Tunnilie Attributed Carving Fighting Dogs Serpentine

This incredible find came from an online goodwill auction out of North Dakota. Advertised as “Vintage Fighting Wolves / Dogs Carved Rock Figurine”. From first glance at the fuzzy photographs I knew it was definitely an Inuit Carving. After some research I stumbled across the works and style of internationally renown carver Oviloo Tunnillie. For a mere $21.00 I won the auction. She was born in Kangia, one of several small camps situated along the coast of south Baffin Island. She was one of the few women to have gained national recognition as a stone carver in Canada. Her works are considered a sort of taboo, featuring nude women, the abuse of women, drugs and alcohol abuse, and the slaughter of sled dogs. The piece is not signed from what I could see and I know she signs in symbols. It is carved from Serpentine Stone. Her dog carvings match all share a similar design. Long body, circular or chunky body parts, small round ears, and a sense of life (the carving displays a life like motion in their postures). The one arm is broken whether it was made like that to symbolize the brutality of the dogs fight, broke while being carved, or broke while after it was sold. I’m not sure as to whether it’s one of her earlier pieces from the late 1970’s since she started with carving dogs and birds.

8 1/2”L x 5”H and weighs over 1000 grams.

What do you all think?