Antique Carved Burl Wood Bird, Presumed Native American Woodlands, Ex. Axtell Collection brass key that one was housed in

that one was housed in its original wooden crate

Great imagery

Rust as evident but very sound and not actively flaking/shedding at all

5 5/8" in diameter x 5 5/8" tall

both men wear crosses on their labels

Antique Carved Burl Wood Bird, Presumed Native American Woodlands, Ex. Axtell Collection brass key that one was housed inA 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