Hand-Carved Folk Art Santa Figure with Swan

This is a handcrafted folk art figurine depicting a traditional Old World Santa or Father Christmas figure accompanied by a swan at his feet. The item is carved from wood, likely a soft wood such as basswood or linden, and features a textured, multi-layered painted finish. The figure stands several inches tall on an integral circular base. It is styled with a long, white hooded cloak with brownish-gold trim, a voluminous white beard with visible carving strokes to denote texture, and teal-colored mittens. Santa holds a small red floral element, possibly a rose or holly berry. The carving technique uses bold, expressive cuts characteristic of late 20th-century artisan folk craft. The color palette is muted, utilizing off-whites, earth tones, and deep accents to create an antiqued appearance. Condition appears excellent with no visible cracks, chips, or major paint loss, though the distressed finish is intentional to suggest age and patina. While no maker's mark is visible from the front view, the style is reminiscent of Russian woodcarvings or American folk designers like Jim Shore or various heritage craft artisans. Its heavy texturing and simplified facial features are hallmarks of quality hand-tool work.