Hand-Carved Wooden Northern Cardinal Figurine

This is a small-scale, hand-carved wooden figurine of a Northern Cardinal, likely depicting a juvenile or female due to the muted color palette. The piece is crafted from a single block of wood, featuring visible chisel marks and textured feathering on the wings, tail, and crest. The color scheme consists of a muted brownish-tan body with strategic applications of red pigment on the chest, tail, and crest, mimicking the natural plumage transitions of the species. It features a distinctive black mask around a short, conical beak and small, dark inset eyes. The legs and feet appear to be made of a different material, possibly wire-reinforced putty or cast metal, painted in a dark grey to match the anatomy of a songbird. The carving style suggests late 20th-century folk art or a craftsman's wildlife study. The condition is good, showing a natural matte patina with no significant chips or cracks, though some minor paint thinning is visible on the sharpest edges of the carvings. The level of detail in the wing separation and the facial expression indicates high-quality amateur or professional artisan craftsmanship.