Deciphering Inuktitut Signatures
February 1, 2013 - Ann Lesk
DECIPHERING INUKTITUT SIGNATURES
Baffled by those “anonymous” sculptures with lots of markings on the bottom? We can help you can give them names.
How many times have you been frustrated by seeing an Inuit sculpture described as “anonymous” or “unknown artist,” accompanied by the notation “signed in syllabics”? You don’t have to understand Inuktitut in order to learn how to attribute many of your anonymous pieces. As with any language skill, it takes some practice, but the time is well spent if you are a serious collector of Inuit art. To help you, we have posted a search facility for Inuit art “signatures” on our website.
Click here for an explanation of Inuktitut syllabics and a link to the INUIT ARTIST SEARCH TOOL.