Tagua Nut Figurine Appraisal

Hand-Carved Bovine Bone or Tagua Nut Owl Figurine

This is a small, hand-carved decorative figurine depicting an owl perched on an organic, stump-like base. The piece is crafted from a cream-colored organic material, likely polished bovine bone or tagua nut (vegetable ivory), given the visible grain and variations in translucency. It stands approximately 3 to 4 inches tall. The craftsmanship features stylized gouge marks for feathers and prominent, dark-stained circular eye sockets with white pupils, creating a dramatic 'staring' expression typical of mid-20th-century folk art. The bird's tufted ears and beak are rendered with simple, sharp incisions. The base transitions into a dark brown, textured section at the bottom, mimicking bark. The condition appears fair to good; there is a visible dark vertical occlusion or crack running through the left eye area and forehead, which may be a natural material flaw or an aged stress fracture. There are no immediate visible maker's marks or signatures, suggesting a mass-produced souvenir or folk-craft origin from the late 20th century. The surface displays a soft, aged patina with minor surface grime in the deeper crevices of the carving.