Wonderful harpy eagle by Oaxacan woodcarving artists Carolina Sandoval and Kengi. The harpy eagle is one of the most powerful raptors in the Americas, found in tropical forests from southern Mexico to Bolivia, and its most distinctive feature is that dramatic raised crest, which Carolina has carved here as a full fan of individually separated feathers swept back like a crown. It is a remarkable carving detail that gives this piece an immediate, commanding presence.
Carolina painted the piece with a rich palette of deep forest green, bright lime, and golden yellow. The breast features bold, sweeping waveforms in green and yellow, outlined in black, while the chest and wings are decorated with fine teardrop and feather patterns. The hooked beak and strong, taloned feet are painted gold, with small, red-tipped claws that are easy to overlook at first but delightful to notice.
The face is unique, with a yellow band framing those dark, intense eyes set against green and black markings that give the bird a focused, almost fierce expression, perfectly suited to one of the world's great hunters. A gorgeous bird sculpture!
