Ironwood Owl
The owl has a high polish showing off the grain of the wood. Because each carving is handmade, the size, color, and wood grain pattern may slightly vary from the exact owl photographed. We hope you will trust us to choose your high quality carving!
Measurements: 5" tall x 2-3/4" wide x 2-1/4" deep Location: Mexico
Ironwood is from the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and Northern Mexico. It is a very dense and heavy wood of intriguing origin. To be suitable for carving, the wood must be exposed to the extremes of the climate conditions that exist only in the desert. Years of exposure in this hot, dry environment cause the natural resins to collect, condense and cure, thus transforming the wood into very dense and heavy Ironwood (Olneya Testota). Carving in Ironwood was originated by the Seri Indians, a small tribe that have dwelled in the great Sonoran Desert for thousands of years. The government has restricted the harvesting of living Ironwood trees, causing the artisans to search extensively for naturally fallen trees. Once the wood has been gathered, each piece is handcrafted using very simple tools. It requires long hours of carving, hand sanding, and polishing to effectively capture the beautiful burl and distinctive grain inherent to Ironwood.