Vintage Glossy Ibis Sculpture

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This Glossy Ibis sculpture is a finely executed example of late 20th-century American wildlife carving. Hand-carved from hardwood, it reflects … Read more This Glossy Ibis sculpture is a finely executed example of late 20th-century American wildlife carving. Hand-carved from hardwood, it reflects a high level of craftsmanship, with carefully defined feathering and a gracefully curved bill that captures the bird’s natural poise. The surface is finished in rich, layered tones that convincingly suggest the ibis’s distinctive iridescent plumage, revealing subtle shifts in color as the light changes. The presentation is both natural and understated, with slender wire legs and a weathered wood log base that enhances the sculpture’s sense of realism without distraction. Signed and dated by the artist, John V. Egros, February 28, 1992, on the side of the base, the piece carries clear provenance and solid collector appeal. Detailed carvings of wetland birds, such as this one, are consistently sought after within the sporting art and wildlife markets.
Depending on the light, the Ibis displays an overall purple iridescence, with cooler blue tones shimmering across the wings.

The Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is a graceful wading bird known for its slender silhouette and subtly iridescent plumage. At a distance, it appears dark, but up close the feathers reveal rich tones of bronze, chestnut, green, and violet that shimmer in changing light—one of the species’ most distinctive traits. Its long, downward-curving bill is perfectly adapted for probing mud and shallow water in search of insects, crustaceans, and small aquatic life.
Glossy ibis inhabit wetlands, marshes, and coastal estuaries across much of the world, including the southeastern United States, where they are strongly associated with Florida’s waterways. They are social birds, often seen feeding or nesting in groups, and their elegant, deliberate movements have long made them a favorite subject for wildlife artists and carvers.
In art and sporting traditions, the Glossy Ibis is admired not for flamboyance but for its quiet sophistication—an understated beauty that reveals itself through close observation. This balance of restraint and visual depth is what makes the species particularly compelling in finely executed carvings and sculptures. See less