Skull Art Appraisal

Painted Animal Skull with Wolf Motif

This item is a large animal skull, most likely from a bovine or similar large mammal, that has been extensively painted to depict the head of a wolf. The wolf's face, featuring prominent eyes, nose, and ears, is painted across the forehead and upper jaw of the skull, using a palette of browns, grays, and yellows to simulate the animal's fur. The eyes are particularly striking, rendered in a bright yellow-orange with black pupils, giving the wolf a piercing gaze. The lower jaw of the skull, which appears to be intact, is painted with a green, moss-like pattern suggesting a natural decay or integration with foliage. Cracks are visible in the painted surface, particularly around the centerline of the skull's face and extending downwards, indicating either age-related deterioration of the paint or the skull itself, or an intentional distressed aesthetic. The texture of the skull shows some roughness, suggesting it is a real bone specimen rather than a constructed replica. The craftsmanship appears to be folk art or custom artwork, with a focus on capturing the likeness of the wolf rather than strict anatomical accuracy of the skull's underlying form. There are no discernible maker's marks or signatures visible in the photograph. Based on the style and apparent condition, fitting within a contemporary rustic or nature-inspired decor, this piece is likely from the late 20th to early 21st century.