Handsome Old Carved Wooden Shorebird Emile Bluteau the elaborate frame (encircling her

the elaborate frame (encircling her in gold and purple velvet) and the note on the back I have to believe this Catherine was very well loved

attached to the edge

And a pretty great one I think

I found another of a very similar animal form in a very similar manner described as a fox (image included in photos)--that one 19th century and described as carved by a shaman for a hunter to carry as as a sort of amulet or charm

as one finds in many a portrait of well to do men

Handsome Old Carved Wooden Shorebird Emile Bluteau the elaborate frame (encircling herI found this old carved shorebird in New Hampshire this week and just thought it really beautiful. I'm not at all an expert on bird carvings, but I look at enough of them around these parts to notice when one stands out and feels special. It appears this one may once have one been painted, but most of that is gone now, with the rich brown of the wood body much of what makes it especially lovely to me. 13 3 8" t x 12 5 8" long measured on the square.