This is an intriguing miniature where the artist has created the figure of an Inuk (man) in hooded parka but combined it with heavy stone "feet" of an inukshuk (a traditional Inuit stone monument)
Black stone, rough hewn face details
Weight: approx. 3.6 ounces (111 grams)
Dimensions: approx. 3 1/4 " high x 3 1/8" long x 1" wide
It is signed in Inuktitut syllabics that appear to read i-nu- mi or si-a and then a-na-mi-sa
That second name may be the signature for a family name like Arnamissak or Arnamissa
About Inukshuks
The mysterious stone figure known as the inukshuk (plural is inuksuit) can be found throughout the Arctic world. Inukshuk means "in the likeness of a human" in the popular Inuit language.
These monuments are made of stones laid on top each other. They have been used by the Inuit for centuries as a vital form of communication and survival.
The Inuit make the inukshuk in different forms for a variety of purposes. The inukshuk can aid navigation or can help people know the correct direction to travel in a region with few landmarks. Traditionally the presence of an inukshuk meant "Someone was here," or "You are on the right path."
The inukshuk can mark a place of respect or memorial for a beloved person. It can indicate migration routes or places where fish can be found.
Product code: Miniature Inukshuk Man Inuit popular Art Carving Signed