Walrus Ashtray

MOA: University of British Columbia

3202/4 a-b

Carved black stone walrus. Animal lays on belly, with front flippers supporting the raised head and neck. Face is turned to the side and has carved neck wrinkles, as well as eyes, nostrils, mouth and whisker follicles on the face. Two ivory tusks emerge from the mouth (one of which is removable--part ‘b’). Into the animal’s back is carved a shallow ashtray with four half circle hollows around the edge.

  • Narrative

    Gigliotti was stationed in Frobisher Bay (now Iqaliut) as a meteorologist from 1952-54. During this period he acquired a small collection of Inuit objects from two Inuit men who were allowed to come out to the station. He was told the objects were from Cape Dorset.


  • Type of Item ashtray
  • Culture Inuit
  • Material basalt stone, walrus tusk
  • Measurements height 11.5 cm, width 17.5 cm, depth 9.1 cm (overall)

  • Previous Owner Tom Gigliotti
  • Received from Tom Gigliotti

  • Made in Cape Dorset, Kinngait
  • Collected in Iqaluit

  • Creation Date before 1954
  • Collection Date between 1952 and 1954
  • Ownership Date before October 1, 2016
  • Acquisition Date on October 1, 2016

  • Item Classes carvings & sculpture
  • Condition good
  • Accession Number 3202/0004 a-b