Elegant Inuit Carved Stone Polar Bear lidded box with Fornasetti mark on reverse

with Fornasetti mark on reverse

which I think give the piece a nice patina of age and use

though there is a bit of thread loss on the G and B

with some paint loss along the ridges of her carved body and a little cracking to the paint on her udder

Elegant Inuit Carved Stone Polar Bear lidded box with Fornasetti mark on reverseAnother beautifully minimal Inuit carving, this one reminding me some of the work of Andy Miki (1918 1983; Arviat) in its graceful lines and elongated head (I've included one photo for reference) as well as in the light gray stone. It also shares a spirit I think with small 19th century Inuit tusk carved amulets from the Bering Sea area. To me it really feels as if walking very softly over ice, very gentle, and with a lovely, serene presence. 4 7 16"