The top lot of the auction was a skin stencil work by Niviaxie (1908‱959) titled “Polar Bear and Cub on Ice,†1959, that attained $22,800.

Waddington’s Inuit art auction on April 19 took in more than $500,000, proving yet again the strength of Inuit art at auction.

The sale of a little more than 400 lots was dominated by many fine works by Barnabas Arnasungaaq, Judas Ullulaq, John Pangnark, the great classic period pieces and early graphics from the Kinngait Studio (Cape Dorset), all of which performed well, maintaining the trend of an ever strengthening and expanding market.

The top lot of the auction, coming at the halfway point of the sale, was a skin stencil work by Niviaxie (1908‱959) titled “Polar Bear and Cub on Ice,” 1959, that attained $22,800. The unframed work by the Cape Dorset artist was 13¼ by 24 inches and is 28 of the edition of 30. Another work by the same artist, “Two Bears Hunting” of stone block, 1959, fetched $18,600.

Nearly two dozen lots later, the second highest grossing lot was a stone, ivory and wooden figure titled “Woman With Child Tending Kudlik,” by an unidentified artist from Inukjuak that achieved $21,600. The circa 1950 work measures 6 by 11½ by 9 inches.

An unidentified artist from the Inukjuak area created “Woman With Child Tending Kudlik,†a stone, ivory and wood work that achieved $21,600.

Gjoa Haven artist Judas Ullulaq (1937‱998) was well represented in the auction, with several of his works performing well above estimate. The top seller of his works here was “Ikaliyuk (Making Fish),” a 1994 work of stone, antler and bone that soared above its $6/9,000 estimate to sell for $19,200. Other stone works of his included “Shaman Transforming Into Musk Ox,” that was acquired directly from the artist and fetched $14,400, as well as “The Fiddler,” made of stone, musk ox horn and antler, 1994, signed in syllabics, which brought $9,900, nearing its high estimate.

Toronto artist David Ruben’s bronze, “Dancing On The Moon,” ($4/6,000), 2002, went out at $15,600, while John Pangnarik’s (1920‱980) “Hooded Figure,” a 7¼-inch-tall work in stone with provenance to the Isaacs Inuit Gallery in Toronto, drew $14,400.

Gjoa Haven artist Judas Ullulaq’s “Ikaliyuk (Making Fish),†a 1994 work of stone, antler and bone, soared above its $6/9,000 estimate to sell for $19,200.

Cape Dorset artist Kenojuak Ashevak had a pair of works in the top 20 of the sale, with “Hare Spirits,” an unframed skin stencil work from 1960, taking $13,200, and an unframed stonecut, “Bird Humans” going out at $9,600. Both works performed well above their estimates.

Other Cape Dorset standouts included “Woman,” a stone figure from an unknown artist, circa 1950, and standing 6½ inches tall, that tripled its high estimate to take $9,840, and Shorty Killiktee’s (b 1949) stone and antler work, “Caribou,” that doubled its estimate to bring $10,200.

Also representing Cape Dorset art traditions were two works by Osuitok Ipeelee (1923′005), “Hunter With His Dog” at $9,600 and “Owl” at $6,900, along with Parr’s 1961 stonecut, “Man Among Walrus” at $6,240.

Toronto artist David Ruben’s bronze, “Dancing On The Moon,†($4/6,000), 2002, went out at $15,600.

Inukjuak artist Johnny Inukpuk’s (b 1911) circa 1970 work in stone titled “Mother Embracing Her Child” sold for $9,900, while a 1996 work by renowned Baker Lake sculptor Barnabas Arnasungaaq (b 1924) titled “Musk Ox” realized $7,200.

Rounding out the auction was Karoo Ashevak’s (1940‱974) “Spirit” at $9,600 and Iqaliut artist Ennutsiak’s circa 1962 “Whale Hunting” that sold for $7,200 and was acquired from the artist by collectors who lived in Iqaliut while working for Air Canada. Manasie Akpaliapik’s (b 1955) bone and ivory work, “Shaman/Walrus Spirit” went out at $6,240.

All prices reported include the buyer’s premium. Waddington’s is at 111 Bathurst Street. For more information, 877-504-5700 or www.waddingtons.ca .