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1 of 253523 objects
Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) 1950-59
Stone, whalebone, copper | 50 cm (Height) (whole object) | RCIN 99919
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A stylised Inuit stone and whalebone sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II wearing a floor-length long-sleeved green dress, holding an orb in her right hand and with a removable copper circlet on her head. The hands, neck and head of whalebone, with a copper ring on the fourth finger of the right hand; the left hand missing two fingers. The base is carved in relief with two bare feet.
Osuitok Ipeelee (1923-2005) (RCA), also known as Oshaweetuk, was one of the foremost Inuit sculptors of the twentieth century. Born into a family of carvers on Baffin Island, he established a reputation for fine stone carving which attracted the attention of James Houston, who brought Inuit handicrafts to an international audience in the mid-twentieth century. As one of Houston's earliest collaborators, Ipeelee was the first to produce Inuit prints in Cape Dorset and was heavily involved in the West Baffin Island Eskimo Cooperative. His most notable commissions included the official mace for the Council of the Northwest Territories in 1955, and a sculpture for Queen Elizabeth II presented during her tour in 1959. In 1978 he was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.Provenance
Presented by the sculptor to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh for Queen Elizabeth II at Sir John Franklin High School, Yellowknife, during the 1959 tour of Canada. The Queen was prevented by illness from attending the event, so the sculpture was presented to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on her behalf.
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Creator(s)
(sculptor)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Stone, whalebone, copper
Measurements
50 cm (Height) (whole object)
34 cm (Width) x 28 cm (Depth) (at base of object)
Category
Object type(s)
Place of Production
Cape Dorset [Baffin Island]