Sculpture – Cooper-winemaker's Cork – Monoxylous Anthropomorphic Cork – Folk Art

Sculpture – Cooper's/Winemaker's Stopper – Anthropomorphic Monoxylous Stopper – Folk Art, Late 19th Century, France – Massif Central or Southern France. This carved wooden cooper's stopper (monoxylous) depicts the head of a mustachioed man wearing a bowler hat. The eyes, inlaid with small dark beads, give him a presence that is both mischievous and endearing. The lively expression, accentuated by the raised mustache which retains traces of old polychromy and by the modeling of the cheeks, reveals a humorous perspective on everyday life. This type of stopper, handcrafted by rural artisans, sometimes adorned small barrels, demijohns, or certain tools related to winemaking. The object exists at the boundary between utensil and sculpture: a trade accessory transformed into a work of art, imbued with a playful and humanist dimension. The wood, patinated in a warm honey tone, reveals the passage of time and the gentle touch of repeated hands. Beneath its apparent simplicity, this figure of an anonymous man embodies one of the most sincere expressions of folk art: a world where whimsy and tenderness find their way into everyday gestures. Every irregularity, every visible cut, reflects the search for a balance between function and emotion—the discreet intention of a craftsman giving soul to a simple winemaking tool. An expressive piece, imbued with a rustic and benevolent poetry. Condition: beautiful antique patina, signs of wear, a few small old holes at the top, lovely, even appearance. Dimensions: Height 14.2 cm. Shipping: ALL DELIVERIES ARE MADE BY DHL EXPRESS ONLY.