Ultra Minimal, Ultra Smooth, Masterfully Carved Dark Green Stone Inuit Whale, Signed in Syllabics, 1990 camoflage delicate watercolor portrait on paper

delicate watercolor portrait on paper signed by Wood Gaylor

5 7/8" x 2 7/8" x 7/8" d

including with the simple string strung across

I believe this one dates to the early-ish 20th century

and one small area of staining on the back

Ultra Minimal, Ultra Smooth, Masterfully Carved Dark Green Stone Inuit Whale, Signed in Syllabics, 1990 camoflage delicate watercolor portrait on paperThe Inuit artist who carved this whale seems to have had a very deep feeling for the stone itself, making exquisite use of its naturally occurring irregularities, which are sublimated through the spareness and smoothness of the carving. To my eye that ridge in the stone running diagonally from top center to bottom edge, showing near white along the edge, is an exceptionally beautiful thing, animating and lending a sense of both movement and