Inuit Art - Thule Toy Artifact
Found in 1981 in what is now Nunavut, this rare artifact is part of a collection accumulated over many years while flying land-use surveys throughout the Arctic for the federal government. Cultural data for the archaeological field survey portion was coordinated through the Museum of Civilization and this item was confirmed as Thule in origin along with its purpose.
Ancestral to the historic Inuit of Canada’s North, the Thule people’s vast majority of early carvings were mainly utilitarian objects made from bone, antler, ivory and wood, such as hunting implements, dog harnesses, and toys. There were slight artistic details on household things but it was very simple, linear designs.
Absolutely charming in its simplicity, the item is carved from ancient ivory. According to the Canadian Museum, it is a version of the pin and cup game, known as ajagak, ayagak, ajaquktuk in Inuit dialects. This involved an object perforated with holes, with a string and pin attached to it. To hone their hunting skills, players were expected to pierce the object, which had to be caught on the handle like a skewer. The winner being the one who pierced the cup the greatest number of times in a row.
The toy figure is 2.5” long by 1” wide.
Approximate age is 1000 to 1700 AD.
The total weight is 1.1 oz.
All Thule artifacts bear wear and may have slight breakage born in antiquity.
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