Needle case as human figure

Sewing equipment was important to every Inuit woman and special tubular cases were used to keep the bone and ivory needles safe. Needle cases in human form are rare.

In this figure a tubular body cavity divides down each leg. Evidence of metal sawing between the legs suggests that the artist used an ancient piece of ivory. The eyes and navel are drilled, but not through to the cavity. The number 31 765 is written in black ink on the back.

Steven Hooper, 1997

Entry taken from Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection, Vol. 2: Pacific, African and Native North American Art, edited by Steven Hooper (Yale University Press, 1997) p. 248.