Vintage Folk Art Mexican Ironwood Hand Carved Turtle 3" x7"x 2.5"

Mexican ironwood carving is a Mexican tradition of carving the wood of the Olneya tesota tree, a Sonora Desert tree commonly called ironwood (palo fierro in Spanish). Olneya tesota is a slow growing important shade tree in northwest Mexico and the southwest U.S. The wood it produces is very dense and sinks in water. Traditionally, people used it for firewood and charcoal, and some carving. Ironwood is similar to ebony, as it is dark, dense and very hard; its grain is very straight. For this reason there are few air bubbles and unlike other woods, ironwood sinks in water. Intricately carved turtle in Mexican ironwood. Rich brown color. Weight is just over 1 pound. Approximately 3" x 7" x 2.5". Good condition.