Bird before 1500

These carved figures of birds and other animals, made by an unknown Inuit artist, capture more than mere likenesses; they embody a deep connection to the Arctic ecosystem. The prominent birds, rendered with elegant simplicity, evoke a potent symbol, linking earth and sky in Inuit cosmology. Consider how the bird motif—ubiquitous across cultures—reappears, for instance, in ancient Egyptian art, representing the soul's journey to the afterlife. The recurrence of this symbol hints at shared human experiences of mortality and transcendence. This symbol then takes on different meanings as it resurfaces in medieval illuminated manuscripts to represent divine messengers. Through psychological lens, birds become potent symbols of freedom, aspirations, and the uninhibited aspects of the human spirit. Each carved figure acts as a conduit, engaging viewers in a non-linear progression, and echoing through time and space, to evoke both primal instincts and spiritual longings.