Context (Analysis)
Catalogue card notes that Rowley describes this object as a 'wolf-man'. In his 1972 article he describes it as a 'man-bear'.
Event Date
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)

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Description (Labels & Markings)
Excavation number marked in black ink: '648'.
Event Date
Author: Imogen Gunn

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Context (Field collection)
Excavated by Graham Rowley and Aipiluk Innuksuk, June to August 1939. See archive for notebooks, map and correspondence (XA/1/8, XA/1/34–XA/1/36, and XA/1/40).
Event Date 1939
Author: Imogen Gunn

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Context (References)
Rowley, Graham. (1940). 'The Dorset Culture of the Eastern Arctic'. American Anthropologist, vol. 42. p. 495, fig. 2a
Event Date 1940
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)

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Description (Physical description)
Stylized carved ivory pendant of spread-eagled dead polar bear.
Event Date 1950
Author: Imogen Gunn

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Context (References)
Rowley, G. (1971). 'Notes on the Cambridge University Collection: Some Unique Pieces.' Artscanada, vol. 162(63). pp. 116-120. (illustrated)
Event Date 1971
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)

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Context (References)
Rowley, G. (2007). Cold Comfort: My Love Affair with the Arctic. 2nd edition. Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press.
Event Date 2007
Author: Clare McKenna

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Context (References)
Hardenberg, M. (2013). Trends and Ontology of Artistic Practices of the Dorset Culture 800 BC - 1300 AD. Unpublished PhD. København: Københavns Universitet, Det Humanistiske Fakultet. Vols I-II. Cat. no. NiHg-1:50.406.D
Event Date 2013
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)

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Context (References)
King, Jonathan. (2014) 'Masterpieces of the Mind: Dorset Miniatures from Igloolik, Nunavut'. American Indian Art Magazine, vol. 40(1), pp. 46-55, Fig. 15
[note: accession number incorrectly given as 1950.406 B]
Event Date 2014
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)

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Context (Analysis)
Jonathan King dates this piece to c. 1000 AD in his article 'Masterpieces of the Mind' (2014) and describes it as an 'amulet of a swimming bear'.
Event Date 2014
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)

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Conservation (Assessment Only)
CON.2020.4341 | Assessment Only
Event Date 6/2/2020
Author: Kirstie French

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Loan (Exhibition)
British Museum, 28/05/2020 to 23/08/2020, 'Arctic: Culture and Climate'
Event Date 28/5/2020
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)

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Description (Physical description)
Stylized carved ivory pendant of spread-eagled polar bear, possibly swimming or dead. Described by G.W.R as "wolf-man".
Event Date 30/9/2021
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)

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Context (References)
Siebrecht, M. and Desjardins, S.P.A. (2023). 'In the Eye of the Beholder: Using Microscopic Analysis in the Interpretation of Tuniit (Dorset Paleo-Inuit) Art'. Arctic Anthropology, vol. 59(1). pp 39-56, Fig. 3 and 4
Event Date 2023
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)

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Description (Physical description)
Stylised ivory carving of a polar bear lying flat, possibly swimming or dead, possibly anthropomorphised. It has a triangular shaped head with slit for mouth, small eyes and projecting ears; a thin body with long arms reaching the legs, creating two oblong holes; the legs are short and spread in a v-shape, with a small hole between. The body is decorated with many small transverse incisions. It is likely a pendant, but could also be a harpoon, with a blade slot mouth; double line holes at the arms and spurs for legs.
Event Date 20/8/2024
Author: Clare McKenna