General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

Amauti

Patents

N/A

General Description

Polyester and cotton fabric with fur trim, a metal tag, braided fibre tassels and synthetic buttons

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

174.0 cm

Width

81.0 cm

Height

17.0 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Domestic Technology

Category

N/A

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

Unknown

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

City

Unknown

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Never Used

Canada

This amauti will be designed and hand-manufactured by Victoria Okpik and her team at Nunavik Creations in Montreal. It will be acquired from their “Akulik” line of amautis, which is their most traditional in function and appearance. It will feature the long tail flap and hood characteristic of traditional Inuit amautis, along with certain regional design elements that will mark it as coming specifically from Northern Quebec (one such design element includes a pattern stitched into the tail flap, which is meant to resemble a caribou tongue -- see image above). While manufactured specifically for our museum, this amauti will be constructed using the same pattern Victoria developed for the rest of the Akulik collection. This pattern is unique to Nunavik Creations, but was modelled off traditional amauti designs that have been around for generations (and are still widely used in Inuit communities today). This particular amauti therefore speaks both to Nunavik Creations (as a design company) and to modern Inuit culture (as amautis are still popularly used, and made, by Inuit women in the Canadian north). Note on the designer: Victoria grew up in Quaqtaq, Northern Quebec, and moved to Montreal in the mid-1990s to pursue a design degree at Lasalle College. Shortly after graduating in 1999 she was hired by Makivik Corporation to develop a clothing line, and this eventually evolved into the establishment of Nunavik Creations. She has been the lead designer at Nunavik Creations since its inception, and designs everything from rugged outdoor gear (sealskin coats, mitts, and boots), to high-end leather accessories (like purses, wallets, and iPad cases). She is also an accomplished seamstress, and produces many of her own products by hand. (From the Acquisition Proposal, see Ref. 1)

Function

To provide warmth and protection for mother and child in winter. To permit mother to safely and comfortably carry child, while leaving both hands free for working. (From the Acquisition Proposal, see Ref. 1)

Technical

Beyond offering warmth and insulation in extreme cold climates, this amauti includes several other interesting design features. Its hood or pouch extends down to the wearer’s hips, and is large enough for a small toddler to sit in it upright; there are two small pouches (in the left and right of the amauti body) where the child can rest its feet and legs comfortably at mother’s side. Attached to the hood is a braided cord, which allows mother to pull the hood closed to keep the child warm, or loosen it up to facilitate movement. The cord can be tied to a second cord around the waist, which is also used to secure hood. The design of the hood/body is such that mother can bring the child around for breastfeeding, without ever exposing mother or child to the open air. The long tail at the bottom of the back of the amauti is designed to facilitate comfortable sitting on cold surfaces, such as ice and snow. The entire quilted liner is removable for washing or for milder climates, as is the fur trim. Additional note on the materials: This amauti will be assembled using traditional materials (like Canadian red fox fur) and non-traditional materials (like polyester and powderfil). This unique material assemblage clearly separates Nunavik Creations’ Akulik collection from traditional amauti designs, and contributes to its distinctly “modern” look and feel. For this reason, while the Akulik is certainly steeped in tradition, it is also very much a product of our time. (From the Acquisition Proposal, see Ref. 1)

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

On the large tag inside the neck of the parka: "[logo]/ nunavik creations/ [syllabic writing]/ P/S"/ On the tag inside the proper right side of the lining: "TAILLE / SIZE:/ COTON / COTTON 25%/ LAINE / WOOL %/ SOIE / SILK %/ LIN / LINEN %/ POLYESTER 75%/ RAYONNE/ RAYON %/ VISCOSE %/ ARYLIQUE / ACRYLIC %/ 13 oz Holofil %/ Lining %"/ "GARNITURES NON COMPRISES/ EXCLUSIVE OF TRIMMINGS/ LAVER-SECHER/ A LA MACHINE/ MACHINE WASHABLE/ TUMBLE DRY LOW/ LAVER A LA MAIN/ SECHER A PLAT/ HAND WASHABLE/ DRY FLAT/ X NETTOYAGE A SEC/ DRY CLEAN/ FAIT AU / MADE IN/ CANADA CA39898"

Missing

Appears complete

Finish

Predominantly brown parka with light brown, white and yellow bands and designs, two white, yellow and brown braided cords and a ruff of off-white fur with dark grey or black tips. The interior lining is light grey and there is also a small metal tag with the manufacturer logo on the cuff of the proper left sleeve.

Decoration

N/A