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Dr. Robert Bell, who trained as a doctor and civil engineer, joined
the Geological Survey of Canada in 1869 when he was sent northwest to
study the rivers draining into Hudson Bay. In 1884–1885, he was medical
and science officer on government expeditions exploring Hudson Strait
and southern Baffin Island. In 1897 he explored Baffin Island, and in
1899, Great Slave Lake.
Bell worked for the Geological Survey for 34 years and became its
acting director in 1901. He retired in 1908.*
As a geologist, Bell surveyed many uncharted territories. He named
literally thousands of lakes, rivers and islands, retaining the original
name used by the Aboriginal population whenever possible.
Among the collections which he acquired for the Geological Survey
is a group of ivory carvings which he must have obtained on his
expeditions to Hudson Bay.
*E. Hall
1967 – Early Canada: A collection of historical photographs by
officers of the Geological Survey of Canada. Ottawa: Department of
Energy, Mines and Resources, pp. 58-59.
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Male Ivory Figure, 1877?
Kangiqsualujjuaq (Whale River) ? , Nunavik
Ivory
4 x 1.2 x 1 cm
CMC IV-B-855
Collected by Dr. Robert Bell during fieldwork on behalf of the
Geological Survey of Canada
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One list in the collector's file, presumably compiled by Dr. Bell
himself, shows date and place name with a question mark. If his memory
served him correctly, the collection of 21 ivory carvings would be the
only collection from the East Coast of Hudson Bay in the CMC holdings.
It points to a fairly well-developed tradition of making ivory models
for trade.
Male Figure in Sealskin Pants, 1877?
Kangiqsualujjuaq (Whale River) ? , Nunavik
Ivory
4 x 1.3 x 1 cm
CMC IV-B-857
Collected by Dr. Robert Bell during fieldwork on behalf of the
Geological Survey of Canada
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The same size as the naked figure, this male with his pants partially
pulled down over his buttocks, was most likely created by the same person.
The much-handled look points to its domestic use before Dr. Bell
acquired it.
Exhibition History:
Sculpture/Inuit: Masterworks of the Canadian Arctic.
Organized by the Canadian Eskimo Arts Council. Vancouver Art Gallery,
Vancouver, B.C., November 9 – December 9, 1971; Le Grand Palais, Paris,
France, February 10 – April 2, 1972; Nationalmuseet, Copenhagen, Denmark,
April 26 – May 28, 1972; The Hermitage, Leningrad, Russia, June 29 –
July 23, 1972; Pushkin Fine Arts Museum, Moscow, Russia, August 10 –
September 10, 1972; Burlington Gardens Museum, London, England;
October 5 – December 10, 1972; Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia,
U.S., January 24 – March 4, 1973; National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa,
May 17 – June 17, 1973.
Canadian Eskimo Arts Council
1971 – Sculpture/Inuit. Exhibition Catalogue. Ottawa:
Canadian Eskimo Arts Council, no. 41.
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Male Ivory Figure, 1877?
Kangiqsualujjuaq (Whale River) ? , Nunavik
Ivory
4 x 1.5 x 0.8 cm
CMC IV-B-856
Collected by Dr. Robert Bell during fieldwork on behalf of the
Geological Survey of Canada
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Since this minuscule figure is exactly the same size as the other
two, it can be assumed that all three were part of a game set, or at
least belonged to the same person who traded them to the explorer.
This figure is far from new and shows signs of having been handled
extensively.
Walrus, 1877 ?
Kangiqsualujjuaq (Whale River) ? , Nunavik
Ivory
1.2 x 6 x 1.2 cm
CMC IV-B-876
Collected by Dr. Robert Bell during fieldwork on behalf of the
Geological Survey of Canada
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Similar to ivories collected in Labrador, the walrus is carved in
one piece, rather than having the tusks pegged on, as was customary
in all other regions.
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