The Rooster & the Hen — France (attr.), Early 20th Century

A quietly expressive pair of carved wooden birds — a rooster and his hen — likely originating from France in the early 20th century.

Hand-carved and painted, their forms are simple yet full of presence. Subtle asymmetries, softened edges, and traces of wear speak of age, use, and the human hand behind them. Nothing is overly refined — and that’s exactly their charm.

Originally made as folk objects rather than decorative sculpture, they reflect a vernacular tradition where everyday life and artistry naturally overlapped. At some point later, the birds were mounted on slender metal rods with square bases, allowing them to be displayed more freely in a contemporary interior.

They sit somewhere between object and character: modest, grounded, and quietly confident. Not seasonal, not nostalgic — just good, honest folk carving with personality.