Carved Decorative Panel

Carved figure of a woman standing upright on a scrolled base. Carved from Pine with in service paint, American, circa 1850.

Figural trade sign in the form of a mortar and pestle, both the mortar and pestle are hand turned and gilded, with strong ring turnings. The top is capped with zinc and still bears i...

Presented is a spread wing eagle, most likely from the late 19th to early 20th century. This carved pine eagle is poised for takeoff and rendered with fierce facial details and well-carved plumage. The carved eagle shows intricate detail, including individual feathers. The eagle is accented with white and yellow paint to highlight the head and beak. The eagle's wings are spread widely, in a manner similar to Bellamy eagles...

The young dancers wear an armor of threads over their bodies, showing off an ancient indigenous art form. Colorful thread combinations characterize the huipil dress, a rectangle of cloth handwoven on a backstrap loom that dates back thousands of years in used in Zapotec culture. Through symbols in their dresses, Zapotec women wear their identity, history, culture, power, social and marital status, religion, personality, and power. In this folkloric dance, “Flor de Piña” (Pineapple Flower), innocence surrounds young girls as they dance and hold pineapples on their shoulders as an offering. Their long braids represent purity and their bare feet symbolize their connection to the Earth. This folkloric dance is part of the “Guelaguetza” (name in the indigenous Zapotec language) Festival Celebration. Since pre-hispanic times, the indigenous people of Oaxaca have honored the goddess of maize with this festival, performing and offering gifts to ensure a good harvest. Husband and wife, master woodcarver Manuel Cruz and wood painter...