Ref:  6883

An intriguing and signed early 20th cent table-top sculpture from Eastern Europe, probably Hutsul arts and craft work, it’s an essay in wood art with various hardwoods used including a 'burr-tree’ and with chip-carving and notched decoration that refers to traditional Hutsul wood carving.There is various imagery from folklore and the theme appears to be love, there are two birds (lovers) perched on a natural branch of a tree near to a park or garden with path (all somewhat Oriental in feel), there is a bench (for two) with solar or stellar motifs such as one would find on Carpathian furniture and artefacts, and which have apotropaic significance, the bench is supported by two serpents and the hand-rail of the steps leading into the garden is also a serpent or snake, all of which is reminiscent of symbolism in Romanian and Ukrainian peasant folklore in which the serpent stands only for threat but also for protection, the snake motif is found on dowry chests as an apotropaic or protective device and also forms a border around imagery in religious icons.

Eastern Europe      c.1900

H: 17cm (6.7in)
W: 38cm (15.0in)
D: 15cm (5.9in)

£180