Indian Wooden Swan Figurine with Brass & Copper Inlay – Rajasthan, c.1880–1910

This is a swan. Not a box, not a vase, not a vessel of any kind — just a swan, carved from a single piece of dark, densely grained wood and decorated with such conviction that it has absolutely no need to be anything else. The body is inlaid with overlapping lotus petal shapes in brass and copper that cover the wings and sides like actual feathers. The neck and head are cast separately in brass and attached with the kind of precision that suggests someone took this very seriously. It sits. It looks elegant. It has been doing exactly this for well over a century.

The engraved brass border running along the wing line and the riveted construction are characteristic of North Indian decorative woodwork from the late 19th to early 20th century — most likely Rajasthan, possibly Kashmir. The patina on both the wood and the metal is deep and genuine. This swan has been somewhere looking good since approximately 1900 and it shows.

• Origin: Rajasthan (or Kashmir), India
• Period: c.1880–1910
• Material: Carved dark wood with brass and copper inlay
• Function: Decorative figurine
• Dimensions: 12 × 8 × 6 cm
• Weight: 170 grams
• Condition: Good antique — patina consistent with age, minor wear

WARNING: This swan has outlasted empires, fashions, and several interior design trends. It will outlast your current decor too, and it knows this. Maison de L'oro suggests you simply accept its superiority and find it a good spot.