This is a truly stunning set of circa 1978-1979 original soapstone Eskimo Inuit Seal Hunter, mother & child and pair of seals by Sharon Spencer (American, 20th-century), each signed S. Spencer. The first shows a large Eskimo Inuit hunter wearing full seal skin jacket and hunting pack with rich soapstone with brown, to gold coloring with undertones of green, the figure is holding a weapon in their hand, signed on the bottom, “S. SPENCER 4/78”. The large hunter shows wonderful coloring and dendritic accents. Next shows an Eskimo Inuit mother and child in the same brown to gold soapstone with green under tones and is signed, “S. SPENCER”. Next shows two classic Eskimo Inuit shaped Seal. Seals are the main food source and sustenance for the Eskimo Inuit of the north, traditionally, seal hunting provided skins for clothing needed for warmth, the blubber for heating their homes and to coop and the meat to sustain life. One seal is signed, “S. SPENCER 3/79” and the other “S. Spencer 5/79” and in matching soapstone. Sharon Spencer is a noted soapstone carver and bronze sculpture artist from the Pacific Northwest / Washington. Born in Salinas, California she began her love affair with carving after leaving her high school teaching position in the 1970’s. Sharon’s early work reflected her intense fascination in preserving and representing the Native American and Eskimo cultures, affirming her respect for animals and the earth through her figurative sculpture. Later she began focusing on her bronze sculpture work. These were all carved by Sharon Spencer in the beginning of her career circa 1978 to 1979, signed as such and make for a wonderful set. Eskimo Seal Hunter measures 11 5/8-inches high by 8-inches deep by 7-inches wide with a weight of 24 lbs. 2 oz. The Eskimo mother and child measures 6.5-inches high by 6.5-inches by 4.75-inches deep, total weight of 7 lbs. 12 oz. The set of Eskimo Seals 4.75-inches long by 3-inches wide by 3.75-inches tall each with a total weight of 3 lbs. 2 oz. Total weight of all four of the sculptures is 35 pounds.