Ritual Figural Wooden Sculpture, Italy, 1990s

Ritual Figural Wooden Sculpture, Italy, 1990s.

A tall, standing figure with a long, carved face and a body of joined planks rises from a small base on little feet. The features are simple and carefully cut, with a straight nose, a small, rounded mouth and a calm, dignified expression. One arm hangs loosely beside the body, and the hand is carved with every finger defined, a detail that gives the figure a tender, human touch. The surface has a deep, warm patina, and the wood shows fine variations in tone and grain, from honey to dark chestnut. Seen from the side, the long, narrow proportions give the sculpture a graceful, upright line.