SOAPSTONE CARVINGS AND SCULPTURES
Musk oxen ("oxen" is the plural form of "ox") are members of the family Bovidae, as are antelope, gazelles, cattle, sheep, goats and bison.
Their scientific name is Ovibos moschatus, Ovibos signifying that they have features in common with both ox and sheep, and moschatus relating to the musky odour that males in rut emit from preorbital (facial) glands.
Adult bulls measure about 4 to 4½ feet (1.2 to 1.35 meters) tall at the shoulders, are about 6½ to 8 feet (2 to 2.4 meters) long, and weigh about 750-800 pounds (340-360 kilograms), while cows are somewhat smaller.
A musk ox's main protection against the Arctic weather is a double coat of hair. The outer hair, hanging over their short legs almost to the ground in winter, is dark brown and very coarse, while the underwool, called qiviut ("kiv-ee-oot"), is various shades of light brown and gray. The qiviut is finer than cashmere, and is extremely valuable to Inuit knitters who make scarves, hats, vests and other items of clothing from it.
Although nomadic, musk oxen do not travel far, even between summer and winter ranges. They form small herds, usually a bull with several cows and their calves. Several of these family units may gather for short periods, forming herds of up to 100 animals. A herd that size, however, can seriously damage the sensitive tundra, and they soon split up again. In most areas, it takes 2-3 square kilometers of land to support a single musk ox.
Dueling Musk Oxen
"You can feel the strength and energy from these two northern warriors, the elder protecting his hard won status, the younger forever challenging it."
16 inches (41 cm) long, 4
inches (10.2 cm) wide and 6 1/4 inches (16 cm) tall.
A beautifully detailed piece
of Brazilian soapstone.