North American Auction Company
Live Auction

Montana Premier March 4th Collector Auction

Sat, Mar 4, 2023 11:00AM EST
Lot 28

C. 1900 Eskimo Inuit Model Kayak Sealskin Covered

Estimate: $1,200 - $2,000

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
This is an excellent authentic circa early 1900 Eskimo Inuit sealskin covered wood frame model kayak with hunter figure and walrus tusk and bone accouterments. The piece consists of an intricate and true to scale wood frame being completely covered in sealskin or seal skin rawhide and sewn with both trade thread and sinew. The kayak is further adorned with straps of leather rawhide which hold miniature carved wooden piece, fishing lance spear with bone or tusk blade end, another fishing spear with bone or tusk blade end, kayak paddle with bone or tusk ends, fishing bone weights, carved wood horn piece, and bone / walrus tusk gorget pieces as well as bone / walrus tusk runner strips on the bottom edge at the front and rear of the kayak and a bone cap at the front tip. The Eskimo Inuit Indian figure is carved from wood and covered in a sealskin hooded coat which perfectly slides over the bent wood opening of the kayak. This example shows a nice medium to large size with immense detail only seen on highly collectible and early examples. Very similar the piece from the Valentine Pasvolsky Collection soldy by Heritage Auctions in 2013 for $5,312.50. Provenance: Found to be an authentic circa early 1900 Native American example by the experts at Pook & Pook. The kayak measures overall 15 7/8”L by 5.25”W (which includes the paddle) and approximately 3.75”H when the hunter figure is present.