Vintage Hand Carved Folk Art Wood Bird Figurines Brown Natural Finish, Pair of 2 For Sale

PAIR VINTAGE FOLK ART PHILIPPINE / CORDILLERA HAND-CARVED HARDWOOD BIRDS – 6"Offered is an unusual matched pair of vintage hand-carved hardwood bird figures, each measuring approximately 6 inches long.These distinctive carvings feature highly stylized bird forms with prominent raised concentric eyes, strongly hooked/downturned beaks, carved wings, broad grooved tails, and individually hand-cut feather details. One bird has especially elaborate overlapping/scalloped feather carving across the body.Both are carved from a dense reddish-brown hardwood with an attractive dark polished surface and visible grain. Exact wood species is unknown.ORIGIN / ATTRIBUTION:
Based on their carving style, hardwood, decorative treatment, and comparison with documented examples, these appear most consistent with Southeast Asian workmanship, probably Philippine and possibly from the northern Luzon/Cordillera carving tradition.The Cordillera region of the northern Philippines has a long tradition of skilled hardwood carving among peoples including the Ifugao, Bontoc, Kalinga, Kankanaey and Ibaloi.DETAILS:
• Matched pair / set of two
• Approximately 6" long each
• Hand-carved hardwood
• Dense reddish-brown wood
• Large raised concentric circular eyes
• Distinctive hooked/downturned beaks
• Raised carved wings
• Broad grooved/incised tails
• Hand-cut feather decoration
• Scalloped overlapping plumage on one bird
• Interesting carved/recessed underside construction
• Individually carved rather than identical
• Unsigned
• Probably 20th century
• Exact maker and date unknownFUNCTION:
Their original purpose has not been established. They may have been created as decorative or folk-art bird figures, although their unusual construction leaves open the possibility of another traditional or functional purpose.CONDITION:
Vintage condition with surface wear, minor marks, finish variation and other evidence of age/use. Please examine all photographs carefully as they are an important part of the description and condition report.An unusual and visually striking pair suitable for a collection of Philippine or Southeast Asian folk art, ethnographic-style objects, primitive art, vintage wood carvings, or hand-carved bird figures.Sold together as the pair shown.IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTION NOTE:
Philippine/Cordillera origin is a stylistic attribution only. There is no maker's mark or documented provenance establishing the exact origin, maker, culture or age. They are therefore offered as "attributed to" the Philippines/Cordillera region rather than as definitively identified ethnographic objects.
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