North America | Alaska
Parka
Alaska
Summer parka
Yup’ik Eskimo (Inuit) waterproof coat
Early 20th century
Seal gut
Height: 44 in. – 110 cm
Provenance
Ex Galerie Flak, Paris, 2010
Ex private collection
Ex Sotheby’s Paris, Now !, 27 February 2019, lot 262
Ex private collection, France, acquired at the auction above
Exhibited and published
« A la découverte de la culture Inuit », Centre d’art la Malmaison, Cannes, January-February 2017, p.15
Inuit Parka 110 cm / Galerie Flak
Price on request
This is an eminently poetic gutskin parka. It combines technical prowess with an artistry evolved from an ancient heritage. As stated by the McCord Museum in Canada, hooded pullover parka made of creamy opaque gutskin (sea mammal intestines) was worn by Inuit men and women over other clothes for protection against sea-spray or sleet, and for ceremonial purposes. Sea mammal intestines and other membranes undergo complex processing, including several washings, peeling inside and out, and scraping with a blunt scraper. With intestines, one end is tied, the tube inflated, the other end tied and the sausage-like coils hung to dry.
To make a waterproof parka, the Inuit seamstress cuts the intestines into the required lengths and sews it aligned vertically or horizontally according to function or locale. She uses a waterproof stitch that does not penetrate any part of the garment exposed to moisture.
The entire production of one sea mammal coat could take up to a month.
To make a waterproof parka, the Inuit seamstress cuts the intestines into the required lengths and sews it aligned vertically or horizontally according to function or locale. She uses a waterproof stitch that does not penetrate any part of the garment exposed to moisture.
The entire production of one sea mammal coat could take up to a month.
Documentation
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