Ironwood Bear
These finely carved pieces would make for excellent gifts or decorations for anyone. The photos are of two separate carvings; we hope you will entrust us to choose a high quality carving for you. Please allow for some slight variation in measurements.
Measurements: 3-1/4" tall x 5" long x 1-1/2" wide 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.