Carved soapstone bird figure, anything special?

He is 4" tall and made of stone and looks like it's cracked. That's about all I know.
No visible signature or marks.
Mikey

 

This is the closest looking penguin I could find. Inuit. Link doesn't work

 

Great piece!. Very cute.

 

Not Inuit and penguins are from the South Pole not the North one.

 

Maybe not a penguin.

 

Looks like Barney Rubble

 

Any thoughts that don't include a cartoon character? @Any Jewelry

 

That's pretty close INH.

 

I'm not sure what to call him. But his name is now Barney.

 

Suits him!

 

only thing is he can't remember where he came from or who made him.. lol

 

Very cute! You will be keeping him, right? With the crack, he might not sell well?

 

Hi fig,
Yes I'm keeping him. Once he had a name he obviously couldn't just be sold. My son thinks I'm becoming a hoarder. I seriously don't think so.

 

I don't know what it is, but it's so COOL! I love it. I would hold onto it too! You never know you may be sitting on a real treasure that's super-cute too!

 

Very good likeness!

 

It may be made by a Shona carver, from Zimbabwe. They started working in a variety of types of stone in the mid 20th century. The earlier pieces are quite simple. Here is one I have:


Another currently on ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/i/264466953670...MIxt7upP-V6wIVB6SzCh1eBgxAEAQYAiABEgLXS_D_BwE

And some information on the history and types of stones used:
https://www.thesculpturepark.com/shona-sculpture/

 

Yes Barney is still hanging out here. Thanks for the additional information 2manybooks