Umiak with dolls

NameToy boat with dolls

CultureKalaallit (Greenlandic-Inuit

Dateca.1940s

Place madeNanortalik, Greenland, North America

MediumWood, walrus skin, seal skin, seal fur, shell, soapstone, metal, beads, cloth, bone or walrus ivory, human hair, leather, paint.

Dimensions29 15/16 × 5 1/8 × 6 11/16 in. (76 × 13 × 17 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, gift of Rene and Tony Donaldson, A.2016.6.1a-f

Object numberA.2016.6.1a-f

DescriptionGreenland seal hunting and traveling umiak or boat (a). There are four carved and dressed rowers with boots, leather leggings and beaded capes (b-e) Their hair is bound and tied. They wear black headbands and their faces are carved and painted. (b) has white boots and blue and black wristlets; (c) has black boots; (d) has red boots and (e) has white boots and red and blue wristlets. Other than one bedroll, all other items are attached. The lone figure sitting in the bow of the boat is dressed in white cotton from head to toe. The boat is a wooden frame with a skin covering. The items in the boat include 4 oars, a lamp, toolbox, ice chisel, red teapot, bedrolls (f),and 2 wooden bowls. Attached to the boat is a 69 cm hanging leather thong with carved bone adornments.