James Kivetoruk Moses Drawing, ca. 1965
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GUEST:
I was fortunate to buy this at a yard sale in Homer, Alaska, in the early 1990s. I bought six or eight pieces that were drawings by other artists, and I, I don't even recall, but I'm sure it was, like, less than $30. The person I bought it from said that they acquired it off the streets of Nome in the early 1970s. I once took it to the Anchorage, Alaska, Museum and met with the curator there in the mid-1990s, but I do not exactly recall what he thought it was valued at. I did a little research on the artist and learned more from the art museum, uh, curator, and found out that he was one of the premier Alaska Native artists.
APPRAISER:
His name is James Kivetoruk Moses, and he was born in 1903 in Cape Espenberg, an area that many of us have never traveled to, in the far north of Alaska. He is an Inupiat artist. The Inupiat people are related to the Inuit people in Canada. They do share a lot of qualities of their lifestyle. What have you seen, as far as the details, in this particular drawing?
GUEST:
Well, I am under the assumption that this may be capturing a time when reindeer were brought to Nome area or Western Alaska.
APPRAISER:
Some people see the introduction of reindeer to this part of Alaska as controversial, but yet, Kivetoruk Moses was known for capturing his lifestyle, the Alaska lifestyle he lived. He was a reindeer herder and also hunted reindeer. Also, he documented the incoming of white people into that part of Alaska. In 1953, he was in a major airplane accident. And it was at that time period that he started to paint and draw so he could have an income. I would date this piece in the 1960s.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
It is ink and watercolor on paper. I love seeing the reindeer. Each hair is drawn with detail. I particularly like the way he handled the clouds. You know, there's quite a bit of detail in those clouds. It's a lovely piece. These pieces are highly collectible. His work is revered by many here in Alaska. Do you have any idea on the value of the piece?
GUEST:
At one point, I think I might have even been in contact with a relative or something back in the Midwest. I think they may have told me it might have been worth a couple hundred dollars.
APPRAISER:
The drawing itself is rather simplistic. I've seen many more that are much more complex. It is unframed. I'm not sure of the backing. I believe it's acid paper. Because of the conservation efforts it may need, I would place a value on this between $2,500 and $2,800.
GUEST:
Okay, very good. Thank you.
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