With a wingspan of five and a half feet wide, this wooden eagle has a commanding presence. Hand-carved in France, circa 1810, the eagle was crafted by a master-level woodworker. Notice how each feather has been carved with incredible detail, showing slight separations in the barbs that make up feathers.

The eagle is presented with wings displayed, as if in the midst of flight. Both legs are tucked under the body, as you might see on a gliding bird. The beak is open with a large hole that runs through to the back side, possibly indicating that at one time the eagle held something in its mouth.

When Napoleon became Emperor of the French in 1804, he brought about a striking shift in artwork and architecture, embracing the styles of ancient empires such as Greece, Rome, Macedonia, and Egypt. Many of these civilizations viewed eagles as symbols of strength and power, so the eagle became a prevailing motif during the Empire period (the design style associated with Napoleon’s reign). Our large carved wooden eagle has been rigged with a hook in the back, allowing it to be installed on a wall or hung from a ceiling.

CONDITION: Good antique condition with wear commensurate to age and use, including minor losses and age separations. Traces of old wood worm and repairs. There is a hook in the back for hanging purposes, but care should be taken when installing as the hook has an open section. Newer pieces of wood in the back are remnants of a previous installation.