Wood Engraving Appraisal

Personalized Wood Slice Keepsake

This item appears to be a natural wood slice, likely sourced from a tree branch or trunk, cut transversely to reveal the wood grain. The shape is broadly circular with some minor irregularities expected from natural wood, and the edges show the visible bark, indicating it has not been extensively processed or carved into a specific form beyond the initial cutting. The dominant colors are natural wood tones, ranging from light brown or tan in the heartwood to darker, perhaps reddish or grayish-browns in the outer ring of the wood and the bark. The surface of the wood slice features a pyrographic (wood-burned) inscription in two lines: the word "Zaldivar" in a script font on the upper line, and the year "2018" in a block font below it. These markings are in a dark, charred black color, typical of wood burning. Additionally, there are fainter, reddish-brown impressions on the wood surface above the inscription, which could potentially be a handprint or another form of impression, though its exact nature is difficult to ascertain from the image alone. The wood surface itself appears relatively smooth but retains the natural texture and visible wood rings, characteristic of a natural slice. There are no immediate signs of significant damage such as large cracks or chips, though minor imperfections like knots or natural disfigurements in the wood are visible. The craftsmanship suggests a personalized or commemorative item, possibly created as a gift or souvenir, with the wood-burning executed with reasonable neatness. The natural edge and simple inscription suggest a rustic or handcrafted aesthetic. Given the inscribed date, the item's estimated age is recent, circa 2018.