Bird Garden Stake Appraisal

Vintage Cast Metal Quail Garden Stake

This is a decorative garden stake featuring a detailed relief scene of two quails in a naturalistic landscape setting. The piece is constructed from a solid cast metal alloy, likely brass or bronze given the visible greenish-brown oxidation and darkened patina. The design depicts a pair of quails: one positioned higher on the left amidst thick foliage or an overhanging branch, and one on the right nesting within tall grasses. The scene is anchored by a rectangular horizontal base plate from which a single long, tapered grounding spike extends for insertion into the soil. The relief work shows significant detail in the feathering of the birds, the texture of the leaves, and the blades of grass, indicating a high-quality sand-cast or die-cast process. In terms of condition, the item shows a heavy, aged patina with areas of verdigris and dark oxidation consistent with long-term outdoor exposure. There are minor abrasions and surface wear to the high points of the relief. The style is mid-to-late 20th-century traditional Americana, reflecting common garden ornamentation from that era. Overall, the piece displays sturdy craftsmanship and remains structurally sound despite the atmospheric weathering.