Curiosa, Erotica - Anthropomorphic Shepherd's Crook - Carved Wood - Eroticism - Folk Art

Late XIXᵉ century

Northern Italy

Rare shepherd's crook carved from a single piece of wood and entirely adorned with particularly abundant engraved decoration. The surface is covered with geometric motifs, rosettes, hatching and plant compositions executed with a knife in the pastoral traditions of the alpine regions of Northern Italy.

The staff was the upper end of the shepherd's staff. In particular, it was used to guide animals, to grasp a ewe by the neck or a leg, and also served as a support when traveling in the mountains.

The main face features a seated female figure treated in a naïve, popular style. The deliberately accentuated forms and overall composition place the work in the register of rural eroticism, a theme frequently encountered in certain Italian pastoral productions of the late XIXᵉ century. Produced during summering periods, these objects often blended utilitarian function, decorative virtuosity and amorous or saucy references.

Below the figure appears a large six-rayed openwork rosette, integrated into a decoration covering the entire piece. A few traces of ancient red, green and black polychromy still remain in certain reserves of the decoration.

The owl's head has formerly disappeared, but the metal suspension ring is preserved. Despite this absence, the quality of the carving work remains remarkable for the richness of the decoration and the mastery of the incised motifs.

The ensemble is a particularly expressive testimony to Italian pastoral folk art of the late XIXᵉ century, where rural symbolism, traditional geometric decoration and popular erotic iconography meet.

Condition : Old wear, missing upper end corresponding to the disappearance of the head of the houlette, minor wear and old traces of use. Nice old patina. Traces of polychromy preserved.

Dimensions : 13 cm

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