Wounaan Embera Alligator Crocodile Tagua Carving-Panama 16021111L

Folks, here's another unusual tagua carving. This alligator, or caiman carving has been dipped in a dye made by boiling cocobolo wood chips. The dye is usually used on basket fiber. My guess is the artist's wife weaves baskets. He just got to thinkin'.... And here is the result. The trick is a lot of polishing. He left the husk of the tagua nut on the tail in two very fine lines. This really adds to the beauty of the carving.

I suppose it has been in our inventory for 20 years or more. And look at the condition...these carvings will be here after I am gone. No wonder tagua is called vegetable ivory.

They make great gifts and