16" Curious Walking Bear by Bobby Anavilok

Inuit art: Walking Bear
Inuit Artist: Bobby Anavilok
Size: 15.5" long, 7" high, 5" deep
Community: Kugluktuk, NU
Stone: Dolomite
id: caps: 806000062dejjy

** This item is Eligible for Layaway Plan

Provenance December 2020

We have waited over one year to receive these six spectacular Anavilok carvings fashioned from the same gray white dolomite stone.

Anavilok’s Walking Polar Bear ticks all the boxes.

Perfect rounded haunches.

Muscular, well nourished physique,

Thick insulating fur. I appreciate the decorative fringe Bobby carves on the edges of the fur. This technique exaggerates the fullness of the sumptuous fur.

But lets remember that the true beauty of the polar bear is in its ability to not just survive the unforgiveable Arctic climate, but to claim the title of King of all the Northern mammals.

This bear is the largest predator of the Arctic and a fierce hunter. In fact, it is the largest of all the bears. A male polar bear can weigh 1500 lbs!

The Inuit have great reverence for this creature. Its death means survival for the humans. But be warned! The liver of the polar bear is toxic and will poison anything that eats it because it contains high levels of Vitamin A.

This may have a been a contributing factor to the deaths of the men in the 1845 Franklin Expedition in Gjoa Haven.

I am enraptured with the dolomite stone and the rustic surface it creates. The “disrupted” surface imparts a worn and scarred look to the bear’s hide. It reminds us that even fierce warriors bare scars.

Once or twice a year, we receive a carving that is quite frankly - special.

This bear is top of the list for 2020.

The astonishing features of this bear and the obvious talent of Bobby Anavilok makes this sculpture Museum worthy.

Kugluktak is an extremely remote community. Stone is very scarce. An Inuit carver must be extremely dedicated to his art just to overcome this obstacle, which makes any of Bobby’s sculptures even more priceless.

Such an exquisite and soulful piece.

You can never have too many polar bears in your collection.

This carving would be the perfect gift as inspiration for those of us who would love a bit more strength and resolve in their lives.

PROUDLY CANADIAN SINCE 2008

We promise to send you. only good things