OTTER IRONWOOD CARVING

Otter measures 4.75"L  1.25"W x 1.75"H
 
The ironwood tree is native to the Sonoran desert, which encompasses parts of Western Mexico and includes the Baja Peninsula and Arizona. It’s a slow-growing tree that produces a hard, dark and dense wood that will sink in water. When sanded and polished, ironwood has a beautiful smooth finish similar to rosewood. It is protected by the Mexican government and can now only be utilized for carving.

These ironwood carvings are done by the Seri Indians, native people to that area of Mexico before the Spanish invasion. The Seri people have gained recognition as expert carvers. In the beginning they carved useful items like bowls and utensils, but as tourism arrived to the area they began producing items which could be sold to travelers.