Inuit Soapstone Carving, Presumed A Very Sweet Dog Victorian playing cards Pretty cute

Pretty cute

or to throw in a backpack before heading off on a hike

I've found some other carved wooden feet like this one that served as ashtrays

then filled with colored lacquer

The chest has seen some use (as pictured in detail

Inuit Soapstone Carving, Presumed A Very Sweet Dog Victorian playing cards Pretty cuteTo my knowledge this seems a fairly unusual Inuit carving, looking to me like a domestic dog (though definitely with some seal like attributes, too!) I assume the band around the neck is a collar, with sock like front paws to match, and then this super sweet face, gentle looking face, with small ears and head turned toward one side in what feels like a gesture of curiosity as well, perhaps, as an eagerness to be pet! Very charming. 3 5 8" l x 2 1 16"