Wood hand carved figure

🧾 ITEM REPORT

Item Description:

Hand-carved wooden figure, approximately 9–11 inches tall, with a stylized and abstract human or anthropomorphic form. The figure appears weathered and primitive in style, with defined limbs and a simple head structure.

• Material: Likely softwood (pine, teak, or similar), judging by the grain and texture.
• Finish: Appears untreated or aged, with no lacquer or varnish visible.
• Style: Primitive or tribal — possibly Asian folk art, but the carving also shares stylistic traits with African or Oceanic wooden figures.
• Estimated Age: Mid-20th century or later based on wear and style (but cannot confirm age from photo alone).
• Provenance: Found in an apartment formerly rented by an Asian man (per oral history); no other marks or inscriptions provided.
• Condition: Good, structurally intact. Natural patina and slight wear consistent with age and hand-carving.
• Distinguishing Marks: None visible.

🧭 Possible Origin & Style

Your figure could fall into one of several general folk or ethnographic carving traditions:

Region

Notes

Southeast Asia (e.g. Indonesia, Philippines)

Many hand-carved wooden figures resemble this style – elongated, stylized, used for ceremonial or decorative purposes.

China/Japan Folk Art

Less likely — the figure lacks the typical aesthetic of Chinese guardian or Japanese netsuke/okimono.

African Tribal

The stretched proportions and simplified form are somewhat reminiscent of Dogon or Baule styles, though this is not a strong match.

Oceanic / Polynesian

Some stylistic overlap is possible, especially from Papua New Guinea or island cultures where similar elongated torsos and stances are used.

From your description, the figure’s flat feet, stiff stance, and elongated body proportions lean more toward a Southeast Asian folk carving, possibly decorative or symbolic rather than religious or ritual in nature.

📈 Current Market Value Estimate (2025)

Market Type

Estimated Value

Decorative / Thrift / Folk Art

$20 – $60 USD

If identified as Southeast Asian tribal

$60 – $125 USD

If older or authenticated as a regional cultural artifact

Up to $200 USD or more (rare case)

Note: Value is limited without specific identification of cultural origin, maker, or usage.

🔍 Authentication & Recommendations

To pursue further authentication:

• Take clear, well-lit close-up photos of:
  • The face
  • Any markings or carving on the base
  • Wood grain and back of the figure
• Visit a local museum with an Asian art department or a folk art dealer
• You can also post on identification forums such as:
  • Reddit r/whatsthisworth or r/antiquities
  • Collectors Weekly or WorthPoint (for reference images)

For general care:

• Keep the figure in a dry, shaded environment
• Avoid wood polishes or varnishes that could diminish any patina or ethnographic character

📦 Summary

You have a hand-carved wooden figure, likely from Southeast Asia or inspired by folk/tribal styles. It holds modest monetary value in the decorative arts market but could be more significant if culturally linked or aged.