Featured Small bird stone figurine

Hi all,any ideas as to the age and origin of this? I think it’s possibly older? It’s unlike any African carved figurine I have seen before.. I thought maybe a chess piece ? (but couldn’t find similar) Maybe an unfinished bird pendant? Stands about 4,5cm tall. Interesting little item. Maybe a symbolic item? Thank you for any comments

 

I like the idea of a chess piece...... that would be a killer set !!!

 

Is what I hi-lighted and looks like writing to me, anything legible??

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Absolutely!

 

Thanks for the comment. I will check under a light.

 

Checked and can’t see any writing. Thanks

 

Could it be the makings (and
more ‘modern’ version) of something similar to this? This is screen shot from ebay..

 

A very different style, so not a Taino replica imo.
Are you sure it isn't from Zimbabwe?

 

The stone looks similar to that used by Shona carvers in Zimbabwe. Chess sets have been a popular tourist/export product from east African countries, using a variety of stones. Depictions of birds are particularly significant in Zimbabwe, inspired by a series of large bird carvings found at the site of Great Zimbabwe. One of the birds from Great Zimbabwe has been adopted as a symbol of the modern country, and appears on their flag.

https://www.randafricanart.com/Shona_stone_carvings.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimbabwe_Bird

Reproductions of the birds from Great Zimbabwe are popular subjects, in a variety of sizes. Here is a larger one that resembles the head of your bird -


https://avacarts.com/product/zimbab...oMr9VZC3sTF9mbwuoJ4vXr7F0P79Dd66BSoOL1OXbLk0K

The crest on your bird may just be a representation of a crown. I have not found an actual species of bird from the region that has a similar crest.