Decoy Sculpture Appraisal

Carved Wooden Shorebird Decoy / Sculpture

This item is a carved wooden sculpture, likely intended as a decorative decoy or artistic representation of a shorebird. The bird itself is predominantly dark brown with lighter brown or tan speckling on its body, suggesting a weathered or naturalistic finish. The head is a lighter tan color, transitioning to a dark brown eye, and featuring a long, slender, and slightly downward-curved black beak. The bird is mounted on a thin, tarnished brass or bronze-colored metal rod, which in turn is affixed to a roughly rectangular block of natural, unpainted wood that serves as the base. The base shows evidence of a raw, possibly unfinished or rustic cut, with visible wood grain and some uneven edges, maintaining a natural wood color. The overall construction appears handcrafted, given the slight irregularities in the carving and finishing. There are no obvious visible condition issues such as cracks or major chips on the bird's body, and the paint appears intact, although the speckled pattern might conceal minor abrasions. The metal rod shows some oxidation or patina consistent with age. The base exhibits a rustic condition with a worn appearance. The 'Wood WEX' engraving on the bottom suggests a potential maker's mark or artist's signature, indicating it is not a mass-produced item. This could be a folk art piece, possibly dating from the mid to late 20th century, given its style and apparent construction methods. The quality of craftsmanship is good for a folk art piece, with attention to natural form and texture.