Carved Wood Ostrich After Senshukai Royal Pet, Signed 1987

Large-scale studio interpretation of the Senshukai "Royal Pet" ostrich — the Japanese mail-order series of the late 1960s, handmade by kokeshi craftsmen and drawn from Scandinavian mid-century animal forms. The original was a small turned-wood figurine sold by monthly subscription; here the artist has scaled the design to near-life-size and added a distinctive contribution of his own: a graduated field of pale-wood dots inlaid across the entire torso, larger and clustered toward the haunch, finer and rising toward the breast.

Two-tone hardwood construction throughout — deep walnut tones for the torso block, legs, and feet; light blonde hardwood for the carved head with detailed beak and eye, the curving neck, the stepped tail, the layered fan wings, and the rectangular plinth. Signed "F." (surname indistinct) and dated 1987 to the underside. Separates cleanly into two sections for transport.

CONDITION

In good condition overall, finish intact and color contrast strong between the two woods. A minor chip is present verso, with a small stable separation at one leg. End-grain checking across the top of the body block and the tail sections is consistent with the artist's deliberate use of end-grain stock.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Height: 24 1/2"
• Width: 10"
• Depth: 16 3/4"
• Weight: 8 lbs 10 oz
• Separates into 2 sections for transport
• Signed and dated 1987 to underside
• Campbell's Soup Can (4" H) Shown for Scale