A Rare African Carved Hardwood And Bone Study Of A Hippopotamus

Code: 795760

Dimensions:

This fabulous and amusing hand carved study of a hippopotamus originates from Africa and is primitively carved from a very heavy single block of dense rich red hardwood. It amusingly captures the animal with its large mouth wide open showing its tongue and array of teeth which have been shaped and inlaid in bone as are the eyes. The tail is made from bristle. This wonderful and highly decorative piece is very pleasing to the eye. It has great colour and patination and a very tactile feel when being handled. On the underside, there is a partial circular stamp probably from a retailer who would be selling this locally made carving as a souvenir in the 1920s to a European traveller or big game hunter.
Circa 1920