Mountain Man Bust Appraisal

Folk Art Hand-Carved Wooden Wizard or Mountain Man Bust

This is a vertically oriented, hand-carved wooden figure depicting a stylized male visage, often referred to as a 'Wood Spirit,' 'Mountain Man,' or 'Wizard.' The piece is approximately 12 to 14 inches tall, handcrafted from a single vertical segment of wood, likely a dense hardwood such as walnut or cedar based on the warm, reddish-brown hue and visible grain. The construction utilizes a primitive folk-art style characterized by deep, chip-carved textures. The figure features a tall, conical hat or headpiece with a rough, bark-like crosshatch pattern. Below this, the face is smooth-carved with prominent brow ridges, narrow eyes, and a large, stylized nose. A thick, textured beard with repetitive vertical gouge marks descends into a solid, tapering base. The finish appears to be a dark stain or wax that has accumulated in the recesses of the carving, adding depth and shadow. Condition-wise, the item shows a natural age-related patina with minor scuffs and a small chip or wear-spot on the bottom edge of the base. There are no visible maker's marks or signatures, suggesting it is a unique piece of 20th-century vernacular folk art, possibly from the 1960s-1980s. The craftsmanship is expressive and focuses on elongated proportions to emphasize the height of the wood stock.