Old Carved, Polychromed Wading Bird with Great Form and Surface (As Found) wooden folk art house I love the phrase's associations

I love the phrase's associations with higher learning

though also a nice one to greet each morning

and I am quite sure painted there

There is a single hinge on the back which is tightly attached and works great

Sold in the antique wooden frame I found it in

Old Carved, Polychromed Wading Bird with Great Form and Surface (As Found) wooden folk art house I love the phrase's associationsI first thought a stork based on the shape of the head (and that beak seems perfectly poised to dangle a baby!) , but maybe with the black it's a little egret? Whatever the case, quite a great form to it, and hard to beat the surface on the polychrome. Plus a bit of a different disposition on each side based largely on the painting of the eyes, with a bit of baby blue on one side. The tip of one leg missing, but good for hanging on the wall, perhaps