This vintage hand-carved wooden letter opener is more than a tool — it’s a sculptural object infused with cultural expression. Its handle features a stylized human head rendered in strong, angular lines, with a proud profile that echoes traditional African carving motifs. The blade, long and narrow, carries the marks of hand-hewing, its surface alive with texture and rhythm.
Crafted as both a functional desk accessory and a piece of art, it embodies the blend of practical use and symbolic form often seen in African-inspired folk art and souvenir carvings of the era. Objects like this carry presence, whether resting on a desk, displayed among tribal art, or simply admired for its raw craftsmanship.
Details:
Style: Tribal folk art, functional sculpture
Era: Mid-20th century (c. 1950s–1970s)
Material: Hand-carved hardwood
Condition: Good vintage; minor surface wear and patina consistent with age, tip slightly worn but intact
Dimensions: 10” L x 1” W
This vintage hand-carved wooden letter opener is more than a tool — it’s a sculptural object infused with cultural expression. Its handle features a stylized human head rendered in strong, angular lines, with a proud profile that echoes traditional African carving motifs. The blade, long and narrow, carries the marks of hand-hewing, its surface alive with texture and rhythm.
Crafted as both a functional desk accessory and a piece of art, it embodies the blend of practical use and symbolic form often seen in African-inspired folk art and souvenir carvings of the era. Objects like this carry presence, whether resting on a desk, displayed among tribal art, or simply admired for its raw craftsmanship.
Details:
Style: Tribal folk art, functional sculpture
Era: Mid-20th century (c. 1950s–1970s)
Material: Hand-carved hardwood
Condition: Good vintage; minor surface wear and patina consistent with age, tip slightly worn but intact
Dimensions: 10” L x 1” W
