Cave Art Bison Artist Hand Carved Rendition

This one-of-a-kind hand-carved bison figure is a stunning rustic sculpture, expertly crafted from natural sedimentary rock. Rich rust and ochre tones give it an ancient, cave-art aura, complete with a hand-signed artist insignia on the right rear leg . Measuring about 4″W x 5″H x 7″L and weighing nearly 2 lbs, the piece captures the raw power of a buffalo in rough-hewn texture and form. Its museum-quality rough finish and rugged character make it a coveted addition to a sophisticated décor collection. Display it as a mantel or tabletop accent to infuse any room with tribal culture and earthy authenticity. This rare primitive art object is shipped fully insured and arrives ready to enhance a curated home or office with timeless craftsmanship. 

Valuation Certificate and Certificate of Authenticity included with purchase

Appraised Value: $225 - $250

The story behind this piece: I am a vintage rehab and design artist. I procure and redesign high-end vintage items for a refreshed designer presence and a handcrafted character for modern home collectors. Occasionally during my searches, I find and rescue random vintage pieces that are cast away by people who do not see the beauty in hand crafted or hand painted items. This amazing bison sculpture was discarded by someone who most likely thought the rough surface was not polished, not "Danbury Mint", a worthless artist attempt that failed. Sadly, the largest portion of our world prefers mass produced, manufactured perfect pieces that are pumped out by the thousands with a numbered certificate - those can easily be found in over-abundance for resale on all marketplaces. But true art collectors look for the 1 of 1 artist original that captures the artist's expression and inherent, God given talent - and clearly, manufacturing is not a God given talent. So, I hope you will celebrate with me this unknown and very talented sculpture artist who created this amazing sandstone bison. I would keep this piece myself however, it does not remotely match my decor thus I have no place to display it - but as a design artist I was compelled to rescue it upon finding it and ensure that it reaches an appropriate collector with similar theme/style. Please read on...

The following is what I can share about this item: I rescued this piece here in Arizona. Arizona is home to many native peoples with very talented artistic skills in weaving, jewelry making and sculptured art. Arizona also borders related potential states: Mexico, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah - states filled with many indigenous people and their descendants. It is my believe this piece originated in Arizona with a very small possibility of originating in Utah and arriving in Arizona. Why these states? Well, wild buffalo or bison are primarily found in Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, Utah, Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Colorado, Alaska, and California (Catalina Island) - Arizona and Utah border each other and the piece was rescued here in Arizona, both with wild buffalo/bison and high percentage of indigenous people. This doesn't mean it could have originated elsewhere or by a non-indigenous person by any means, but the probabilities drop considerably. The piece is extremely well done, it sits completely level with a perfectly shaped bison - this isn't a kindergarten or elementary school clay project. The body and head taper into two horns - again, these are perfectly shaped and part of the original single piece sculpture, not something added on. I am stunned at the accuracy and precision of the horns! How did the artist get these perfectly shaped (and matching) horns on this sandstone without them breaking off during the process? Finally, the artist's mark is on the flank of the bison. Is this artist deceased with his/her belongings of no interest to surviving family and friends? Perhaps it was a cherished gift at one time and subsequently collected and discarded upon the recipient's change of life circumstances. Was it in a storage box that was sorted by someone who saw this as a failed art project or perhaps a storage box that was discarded without being opened and inventoried? All speculation, but perhaps the new collector / owner can refresh it's history beginning their story with, "Oh yes, this bison is an amazing work - you won't believe the story!  I discovered this through a design artist - it's a 1 of 1 artist original. It's precise origin is unknown- it was discovered in Arizona. There are so many unique traits to this piece - it's made of sandstone, something rarely - if ever - seen in bison stonework sculptures; the entire piece is crafted from a single block of stone; the horns have amazing accuracy and symmetry - look at how they curve around and uniformly taper to the ends; here is the artist's mark on the flank - unknown, but his talent lives on in this piece. I've had it in my collection now for ___ years - I love it. I captures the raw beauty of wild bison, the rustic design embraces so many elements at once: primitive cave art, tribal art, wildlife art, midwestern life.... "

I refresh the history of vintage pieces on a regular basis in my home decor rehab work and you can likewise refresh the history of this piece and celebrate the artist by doing so. If you are the new future owner, I have this piece carefully wrapped and stored - preserving the God-given talent of this unknown artist until such time it can be displayed in an appropriate venue of like setting with a purveyor of tribal/wildlife/primitive/cave/folk-art/hunting or quite possibly native peoples fine art.

Best regards,

-Jeanette (The Crafty Hobbit)

Authentication Excerpt (See full COA document in listing images*)

I hereby certify that this hand-rendered, sandstone monolith bison sculpture to be an authentic original, through diligent search using current technology, no duplicate sculpture has been found to exist nor has the maker’s mark been identified – the artist remains ‘unknown’. Although the true original origin of this sculpture remains undiscovered, the provenance of this artifact and the artist is hereby documented and established as a collectible one of one sculpture, its history herewith established. This document shall remain with the artifact and it shall be the responsibility of its future collector(s) to maintain its prominence and future documented history in honor and remembrance of the unknown original artist.

*COA will be signed upon transfer of ownership