Romanian Carved Wood Face Spoon with Rosette Shield & Triangle Handle, Signed NP, Nicolae Popa Folk Art

Description

Overview

A figural face spoon hand-carved from a single piece of wood, incised “NP” on the back of the head. The piece is consistent with the work of Nicolae (Neculai) Popa (1919–2010) of Târpești, Neamț County, Romania, a celebrated naive sculptor and founder of a village ethnographic museum. It likely dates to the late 20th century and comes from The Craft World Tours Collection, whose Romania itineraries included visits with Popa.

Design & Craftsmanship

• Function & Form: Decorative ceremonial spoon, approximately 16.5″ long, with a mask-like head at one end and a plain pointed-oval bowl at the other.
• Artistry & Ornamentation: Face with cap band, drilled ringed eyes with dark centers, long wedge nose, slit mouth and small ears; vertical incised hair on the back. Below the chin, an arched shield with sawtooth edge bears a raised eight-petal rosette (back incised with a D-arch and zigzag), followed by three stepped triangular plaques, each chip-carved with a nested triangle in a sawtooth border. Knife-faceted bowl back.
• Structural Base: “NP” incised on the back of the head below the hair.

Condition Report

• Surface Condition: A dark vertical line on the right cheek from eye to below the mouth, likely a surface check along the grain or an old stain line; a faint crosswise line inside the bowl, possibly a fine check. Otherwise crisp, no chips observed. Likely light handling wear.
• Structural Integrity: Appears stable. This item is sold “as-is” with all associated patina and wear inherent to its age and history as part of the Craft World Tours Collection.