Antique Carved Burl Wood Bird, Presumed Native American Woodlands, Ex. Axtell Collection brass key perhaps newly betrothed (or just

perhaps newly betrothed (or just married

but this early Valentine

Crusty old white painted surfaces

but there is a "3" carved on the underside of his tail

14" x 9" x 11/16" with two eye hooks along the top for hanging

Antique Carved Burl Wood Bird, Presumed Native American Woodlands, Ex. Axtell Collection brass key perhaps newly betrothed (or justA bit of a mystery, this bird, but such a beautiful thing, which came from the collection of "Smitty" Axtell, who was a great lover of carved treen objects. Carved of burl wood I believe, it feels to me Native American, bearing a strong resemblance to birds carved on effigy pipes and ladles, but I don't know for certain, and the reason for the holes carved down the back and up the belly is unknown, though it would seem likely it functioned as a tool