Vintage Polished Natural Horn Sculpture, Organic Horn Art on Rustic Wooden Base

This unusual vintage decorative sculpture is formed from what appears to be a natural ram or sheep horn, mounted onto a simple rectangular timber base. The horn has a wonderful sculptural quality, curling tightly back on itself in an almost continuous loop, with the pointed tip rising through the centre. The dark polished surface gives it a surprisingly modern feel. Natural horn has been used for centuries for both practical and decorative objects, but by the 20th century pieces like this also found their way into interiors simply for the beauty of the material itself. Polished horn mounted on wood works particularly well because of the contrast between the smooth, flowing curve of the horn and the much rougher grain and knots of the timber beneath it. What I like here is how abstract it becomes when seen away from the animal. From one side it reads almost as a wave or a piece of modernist sculpture, while from another the natural spiral of the horn becomes immediately apparent. The surface has not been polished to perfection, and the scratches, small marks and variations in colour give it much more character than a newly made decorative piece. It is unsigned, so I would not want to attribute it to a particular maker or country. The form is consistent with ram or sheep horn, although it is not possible to identify a particular breed from the sculpture alone. The wooden base measures approximately 28 x 14 cm, with an overall height of approximately 16 cm. Condition: Good vintage condition with age-related wear. The horn has surface scratches, rubbing, small marks and areas of uneven finish, all visible in the photographs. The rustic wooden base also shows natural knots, grain, marks and wear. These are very much part of the character of the piece rather than something I would try to disguise. Collector’s note: Natural materials have a way of crossing quite easily between folk art and modern design, and this is a good example. The horn itself provides the shape, while the simple wooden base turns it into an object to be viewed almost as sculpture. It would sit very comfortably in an organic modern, rustic or more eclectic interior. Worldwide Shipping: We are always happy to ship worldwide.Your piece will be packed with great care and sent tracked.