Romanian Carved Wood Face Fork & Spoon Salad Set, Signed N. Popa, Târpești Folk Art

Description

Overview

A matched pair of hand-carved figural salad servers — a fork and a spoon — each topped by a standing human figure. Both bear hand-incised “NP” initials; the pair 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: Three-tine fork and oval-bowl spoon, each carved from a single piece of wood, approximately 15" long. Each handle forms a figure: peaked cap, chip-carved collar, open slot between two incised arms, and a chip-carved belt above the fork or bowl.
• Artistry & Ornamentation: The fork figure bares carved teeth; the spoon figure has a calm closed mouth — a playful pair of opposites. Drilled recessed eyes, wedge noses, diamond-and-triangle chip carving and fringed hands typical of Popa. Backs show carved hair fringe and disc ears; spoon bowl back is knife-faceted.
• Structural Base: Hand-incised “NP” on the back of each head (the N on the fork cut reversed).

Condition Report

• Surface Condition: Light natural-wood surface with likely minor handling wear; fine surface checks on the spoon figure's cap and some raised grain in the bowl, consistent with unfinished soft wood. No chips observed.
• Structural Integrity: Both pieces appear stable and whole. 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.