Hand-Carved Wood Life Size Monitor Lizard, School of Bustamonte, Mexico, 1970s

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Hand-Carved Wood Life-Size Monitor Lizard, School of Bustamonte, Mexico, 1970s Mexico, circa 1970s

An impressively scaled hand-carved wooden monitor lizard … Read more Hand-Carved Wood Life-Size Monitor Lizard, School of Bustamonte, Mexico, 1970s Mexico, circa 1970s

An impressively scaled hand-carved wooden monitor lizard sculpture, rendered with dynamic presence and exceptional surface detail. Measuring 41 inches long, 13 inches deep, and 9 inches high, this stylized mid-20th-century carving captures the sinuous form and alert posture of the large reptile with striking realism.

Likely originating from a Mexican artisan studio in the 1970s, the figure is carved from a single block of dense tropical hardwood. Its intricately incised surface mimics the overlapping scale pattern of a monitor lizard's hide, with each crosshatched groove hand-tooled for depth and texture. The rich tonal variation in the wood grain enhances the naturalistic appearance, from the lighter limbs to the darker dorsal stripe running along the back and curled tail.

Expressively modeled eyes and a slightly open mouth imbue the sculpture with lifelike character. The piece rests stably on all fours, with its tail curving back toward the body, allowing for dynamic placement on consoles, credenzas, or floors.

A rare example of 20th-century animalier carving from the Mexican decorative arts tradition, this work blends folk techniques with sculptural modernity. In excellent vintage condition with minor wear consistent with age and origin. See less