A small, peculiar creature—part devil, part faun—carved from wood with a distinctly grotesque sensibility.

The figure features a highly expressive face, marked by deep wrinkles, furrowed brows, pointed ears, and small horns sprouting from the top of its head. Its slightly open mouth and fixed gaze give it an expression of near-surprise, hovering somewhere between menacing and caricatured.

Its lean, sinuous body is defined by pronounced musculature, with legs that merge into an irregular base, enlivened by vegetal forms and roots. The features evoke the iconography of fauns and the diabolical creatures found in folklore, though they do not strictly conform to any single, specific iconographic type.

The treatment of the arms is particularly curious: one is missing, while the other reaches forward, ending in a hand with elongated fingers curled into an unusual, almost claw-like pose. These details enhance the figure’s bizarre and intentionally irregular appearance, making it all the more distinctive.

The carving—with its visible tool marks and the natural variations of the wood—possesses a tangible, material presence and an expressiveness best appreciated up close.

Dating approximately to the late 19th century, this small-scale sculpture is a striking curiosity, perfectly suited for a *Wunderkammer* (cabinet of curiosities) or a collection focused on folk art, fantastical beings, and the macabre imagination.

Material: Carved wood

Period: Late 19th century (approximate attribution)

Height: 26 cm (10.2")