Early Palaeo-Eskimo Maskette
This 2,250 B.C. ivory maskette recovered from a tent floor at the Icebreaker Beach site on Devon Island, N.W.T. is believed to portray a tattooed woman. Measuring only 54 mm by 29 mm, the carving has been executed with great attention to realism in contrast to Middle Palaeo-Eskimo culture anthropomorphic art. It is regarded as an example of a stylistic and symbolic art tradition that extended throughout the development of Palaeo-Eskimo culture and possibly had its roots in Siberia or Alaska.

(Adapted from Helmer 1986: 188. Drawing at above right by Mr. David W. Laveri)

Facial tutaaq of a St. Lawrence Island Yupiget woman, 1997

(Above left) Asiatic Eskimos"stitching the skin" at Indian Point, Chukotka, 1901. (Above right) Central Canadian Inuit Tattoos, Late 19th Century

Ammassalik breast tattoo, ca. 1897

Greenland tattooed mummy images

Veghaq or fluke tails, Indian Point, Siberia, 1901.

King Island women displaying iqalleq, arm tattoos, ca. 1900

Authentic style facial tattoos on Sylvia Ivalu (playing "Atuat") from the Inuit-produced film Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner)

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