Preliminary identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
A striking Mid-Century Modern kinetic-style sculpture featuring two stylized wooden birds in flight. The hand-carved birds are suspended on slender, arched wire supports that rise from a rustic, polished stone slab base, creating a beautiful sense of weightless motion.
Story
In the 1970s, American craftspeople embraced organic materials to bring the outdoors inside. This sculpture captures the era's obsession with kinetic movement, turning heavy native timber and stone into a breeze-caught moment.
Maker / Origin
Signed 'R.F. Wood' on the stone base, this piece is the work of a skilled regional studio artisan active during the studio craft revival of the late 20th century. While not a globally household name, makers like Wood focused on highlighting the natural, undulating grain of local hardwoods through highly tactile, biomorphic forms.
Condition & Value
The sculpture appears to be in very good vintage condition. The wood retains a warm, lustrous finish, and the wire supports remain strong and properly arched. There is minor oxidation where the wires meet the stone base, which is typical for its age and does not detract from the value.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.