Featured in this lot is this soapstone seal carving pair from American artist Sharon Spencer circa 1980-1990's. There are two carvings in this collection with the same design in the likeness of seals, one of the main sources of food and sustenance for the Eskimo Peoples of the north. Traditionally, seal hunting provided skins to make the clothing the Inuit needed to keep warm, the blubber they needed to heat their homes and to cook and the meat they needed to sustain life. Sharon Spencer hand carves the stone with files, and stone carving tools and than finishes the carving and than finished with sand paper. The carving is marked on the bottom of the carving as follows: S. Spencer - 3/79 - 5/79. Sharon's passion for carving is the force that fuels her work. Born in Salinas California she began her love affair with carving after becoming dissatisfied with the bureaucracy and predictability of High School teaching. She left security and comfort to begin a transformational journey. Sharon's early work reflected her intense fascination with Native American and Eskimo cultures, affirming her respect for animals and the earth through her figurative sculpture. Sharon's art has been featured in Galleries and numerous private collections throughout the United States, Canada, Japan and Europe. She has received countless awards of excellence in juried major exhibitions and shows. Her sculpture captures the fragility of existence, and communicates a joyous affirmation of life, speaking quietly and powerfully to the heart. The condition of this pair of soapstone carvings is good with no obvious signs of damage and shows good overall condition. The measurements of this pair of soapstone carvings is 3 3/4" x 4" x 3 1/2" and 4" x 2 1/4" x 3 3/8". The collective weight of this pair of carving is 3lb 2oz.