Hand Carved Plaque Appraisal

Carved Wooden Plaque with Village Scene

This item is a circular wooden plaque featuring a finely carved and possibly pyro-engraved (wood-burned) village scene. The central image depicts a stylized European village with a prominent church steeple on the left, characterized by its arched windows and bell tower. To the right of the church, there is a half-timbered building with exposed beams forming a distinctive pattern on its facade and roof structure, suggesting a rustic or traditional architectural style. In the background, rolling hills or mountains are delineated, and two stylized birds are visible in the sky above. The scene appears to be executed in various shades of natural wood tones, with darker lines and shading contributing to the depth and detail of the carving/burning. The plaque is encased in a roughly 1-inch wide, dark brown, possibly stained or painted, wooden frame with a convex profile, which appears distinct from the central carved piece. The grain of the wood in the central panel is still visible, indicating that the artwork is integrated directly into the wood surface rather than being a separate applied piece. A signature, 'Boll', is clearly visible in the lower right quadrant of the carved scene. The overall condition shows some minor surface wear, including faint scratches on the dark frame, consistent with age and handling. There are no major cracks or chips immediately apparent from the image. The craftsmanship suggests a folk art or artisan piece, likely from the mid-20th century or earlier, given the rustic subject matter and technique. The level of detail in the carving and the visible signature indicate a personalized and potentially collectible work.