Mid 20thC Inuit Serpentine Puffin Carving Sculpturer MOSES AUPALUTUK 1924-1983 . The carving is in good condition with some nibbles to the claws and tail please see all pictures . The Puffin is carved from Black Serpentine with natural inclusions of specks of Pyrite .The base is marked 833 and the Inuit Syllabics
ᓱᓱᒥ .The Number "833": This is part of a government-assigned Eskimo Disc Number (specifically E9-833), a system used by the Canadian government between 1941 and 1972 to identify Inuit individuals before surname systems were formally established.
The Syllabics "SUSUMI": This text is a phonetic transliteration of the Inuktitut syllabics (typically written as ᓱᓱᒥ), which spell out Susumi—the local Inuktitut pronunciation and spelling of the name Mosesee (Moses).
About the Artist: Moses Aupaluktuk
- Life: 1924 – 1983
- Origin: Born in Inukjuak, he later resided and carved primarily in Puvirnituq, though he also spent time in other communities like Grise Fiord, Iqaluit, and Yellowknife. Legacy: He was a highly accomplished mid-century carver known for capturing traditional hunting scenes, wildlife (such as geese, seals, and walruses), and hunters. His sculptures have been featured in major landmark exhibitions, including the famous 1971–1973 Sculpture/Inuit: Masterworks of the Canadian Arctic global tour organized by the Canadian Eskimo Arts Council. His work resides in several prominent gallery collections across Canada.