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Diamond Jenness
was a member of the Canadian Arctic Expedition,
the first multi-disciplinary scientific expedition to the Canadian
Arctic. The expedition was led by Vilhjalmur Stefansson and divided
into a Northern and a Southern Party. Jenness was part of the Southern
Party, led by Dr. Anderson. This expedition is documented in the CMC's
Web exhibition entitled
Northern People, Northern Knowledge.
Jenness sent thousands of artifacts of the Copper Eskimo material
culture back to the Geological Survey of Canada. Surprisingly, there
are no ivory carvings, no models, or other souvenirs made for barter
among them. In his monograph, Jenness claims that the Copper Eskimo
were far less accomplished in the field of art "than their kinsmen
in the eastern and western Arctic not because they lacked the same
gifts, but rather because they failed to develop them."*
It is only in the decoration of utilitarian objects such as needle
cases, bag handles and toggles that the Copper Eskimo expressed
themselves artistically.
*Diamond Jenness
1946 – The material Culture of the Copper Eskimo. Report
of the Canadian Arctic Expedition 1913-1918, vol.XVI, p. 145.
Needle Cases, 1914–1916
Coronation Gulf region, Nunavut
Caribou bone, sealskin
IV-D-343: 14.1 x 2.3 cm
IV-D-344: 15.1 x 2.3 cm
CMC IV-D- 343 & 344
Collected by Diamond Jenness during
the Canadian Arctic Expedition
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The incised lines of the two needle cases display a "passion
for symmetry," *which Jenness observed in all decorations of the
Copper Inuit. Needle cases were made from one of the leg bones of a
caribou. The bone was split, trimmed to size with a whittling knife,
and ground down and smoothed with a pebble.
*Diamond Jenness
1946 – The material Culture of the Copper Eskimo. Report
of the Canadian Arctic Expedition 1913-1918, vol. XVI, p. 90.
Bone Handle of Bow Case, 1914–1916
Coronation Gulf region, Nunavut
Ivory
15.5 x 2.1 x 0.2 cm
CMC IV-D-589
Collected by Diamond Jenness during
the Canadian Arctic Expedition
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This elegant handle shows one of the recurring geometric designs
on Copper Inuit tools and hunting equipment. Jenness describes the
function of this item: "There was also a long, flat handle
'nerumiarvik,' lashed to the straight edge of the bow-case so it could
be carried in hand .... The flat surface lent itself to ornamentation,
and most bow-case handles were decorated with a more or less fixed
design."*
*Diamond Jenness
1946 – The material Culture of the Copper Eskimo. Report
of the Canadian Arctic Expedition 1913-1918, vol. XVI, p. 128.
Seal Toggle, 1914–1916
Coronation Gulf region, Nunavut
Ivory, sinew
9 x 2 x 2.2 cm
CMC IV-D-197
Collected by Diamond Jenness during the Canadian Arctic Expedition
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According to Jenness, this toggle for hauling a seal was used in
the following manner: "the sealer threaded the toggle through a
hole in the seal's mouth, passed it back through the loop and attached
it to the trace of his dog, which then dragged the carcass home."*
*Diamond Jenness
1946 – The material Culture of the Copper Eskimo. Report
of the Canadian Arctic Expedition 1913-1918, vol. XVI, ill. p. 122.
Loon and Nest, (child's toys), 1916
Coronation Gulf region, Nunavut
Antler
Bird: 6 cm high
Nest: 3 x 2 cm
CMC IV-D-605 & IV-D- 606
Collected by Diamond Jenness during the Canadian Arctic Expedition
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These are the only two non-utilitarian objects to be found in the
Jenness collection. Jenness notes: "Among a child's toys was a
figure of a loon carved from antler, and a tiny antler box with wooden
bottom that represented the bird's nest." * *Diamond Jenness
1946 – The material Culture of the Copper Eskimo. Report
of the Canadian Arctic Expedition 1913-1918, vol. XVI, ill. p. 146.
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