The first few photos show a thick, beautiful chunk of maple, probably red or silver maple. Into it is carved an image of a sea turtle. It sits on a piece of African padauk (red) and that sits atop ipe, both of which are imported. The finish is a simple lacquer one that leaves the piece nice and rich in color but not glossy. The maple is a medium hardness wood, but ipe and padauk are very strong woods. The ipe weighs almost as much as if it were steel--no joke! It is 11" wide x and 11" high.
The maple item described above recently sold, so I would be re-creating it for you. The options for woods include maple (a maple that is much lighter and with less figure in the wood), black walnut, or limba--imported from Africa.
The item featured in the latter photos--with the significant contrast between the background and the turtle--is made of chestnut. Chestnut is interesting because it is extinct in North America, so this piece of wood has been around for decades, or even a century! The finish is primarily linseed oil, and the turtle area did not receive that, so it makes a beautiful contrast. It is 11.5" high and 8" wide. This one is also not glossy. It is currently for sale.
If you like chestnut, go ahead and purchase. If you prefer a light, consistently-colored maple, or a rich dark walnut, or an interesting limba version, please order and then be in touch with me I will make that happen!
