Lot #102: Pair of figurines vintage Inuit soapstone bird carvings

Pair of figurines vintage Inuit soapstone bird carvings, likely produced in Canada or Alaska during the mid-to-late 20th century. The Loon (Black Stone): A classic representation of an Arctic loon, carved from dark, nearly black soapstone. It features a sleek, rounded body with characteristic incised white "speckle" and "stitch" patterns on the wings and back to mimic feathers. The Standing Bird (Grey Stone): A more upright figure, possibly a goose or ptarmigan, carved from a lighter, mottled grey-green serpentine or soapstone. It has a natural, unpolished texture that highlights the stone's variegated minerals. Both pieces exhibit the "minimalist yet expressive" style common in Inuit (Eskimo) art. They are hand-carved, with simple anatomical details that focus on the essence of the animal 4.5” Dimensions: 4.5” Pickup category timeslot {A}