Wounaan White Monkey w/ offspring Tagua Nut Carving-Panama 20061203mm

The Wounaan tagua carvers are some of the best tagua carvers in the world. We have been buying and selling their tagua carvings for more than 25 years.

I have always been impressed by the way the artists undercut their carvings so you get a clear view of the animal. It also permits them to do a complete job when they paint their masterpieces. However this carving is natural. White is tagua's natural color and the reason it is called vegetable ivory.

This is a very old carving and it is especially interesting. As tagua ages as a nut and prior to carving it develops inclusions that show up as brown or grey spots. When the artist begins to carve he will often leave them to prove the material is tagua. This monkey's face and tail show these inclusions. It also still shows the residue of the polish the artist used. The artists use the same polish truck drivers use on their fancy chrome.