116 



G. Holm. 



lower end representing the legs. This shape of the human figure 

 is probablj^ derived from the custom of using carved human 

 figures in amulet straps. 



Similar considerations will often be found to have prevailed 

 in the case of their carved animals, but the characteristic feature 



of each particular 

 kind af animal is 

 represented in such a 

 manner that it can 

 be recognized imme- 

 diately (fig. 44). By 

 way of example, I 

 may mention the di- 

 stinguishing marks 

 of the different kinds 

 of seals : — The 

 Greenland seal is re- 

 presented with a long 

 neck and a narrow 

 head ; the bearded 

 seal is made broad 

 with a little round 

 head ; the crested seal 

 narrow with a large 

 hood on top of its 

 head; the fjord seal 

 broad with a short 

 broad head; finally 

 the harbour seal is 

 marked by a little 

 pointed snout. 



Bears, white wha- 

 les, narwhals, wal- 

 ruses, and birds are 

 represented in a very 

 life - like manner. 

 As examples of these carvings may be named a human head on a 

 drum-handle (fig. 362), and a bear's head on a knife (fig. 42) excellently 

 carved in ivory, further a so-called angakok-bear (fig. 45), recognis- 

 able by its thick neck and thin body, and a block of wood with 

 carved faces on all sides, the faces being said to represent Inersiiaks 

 (fig. 45). Both this block of wood and the angakok bear are 

 carved as toys. 



Fig. 43. Ornamental art. Conventional animal figures. 

 (From "Meddelelser om Grønland" vol. X, PI. XXIX.) 



