Canadian Inuit
Sculpture
Authenticity
Given the fact that Inuit sculptures are highly prized as Canadian
souvenirs and as art objects, it is unfortunately inevitable that
mass-produced reproductions and imitations have proliferated. These
items, made of plastic, ceramic or "cast stone", sometimes
tempt the uninformed consumer by their lower price. These imitations
generally have no investment or aesthetic value whatsoever, and are in
no way endorsed by the Canadian government or the Inuit of Canada. In
fact, they tend to lower the image and reduce the sales of genuine Inuit
sculpture, thus depriving Inuit artists of income.
To protect the consumer and Inuit carvers, the
Canadian government has registered the symbol of the igloo as a
trademark. Sculptures bearing this "igloo tag" or sticker are
certified to be handmade by Inuit.
Inuit carvers often (but not always) incise the
bottoms of their works with their signatures in Roman letters or
syllabics. Some sculptures may also have a "disc number"
inscribed on the bottom. These numbers, prefixed by an "E" or
"W", are another kind of signature.
If you have questions concerning any aspect of Inuit
sculpture, please contact the Inuit Art Section, Department of Indian
Affairs and Northern Development, Ottawa K1A OH4.
