Raven, Mid-20th Century. 

Artist unknown, Inuit, Alaska
carved soapstone

The raven is cherished in Inuit mythology. One legend states that long ago, the sun, moon and stars were kept hidden in caskets for only one village to admire. A raven made a deal with the chief of a "lightless" village to bring back the sacred caskets, and the chief married two of his daughters to the raven in exchange for his exquisite gift of light.