Something we learned from the internet: Nirmal, a small town in India known as the "Land of Toys", has been making wooden toy figurines for over 400 years, carved from soft local wood, "ponki chekka", and painted in brightly colored pigments.
This Nirmal Ponki Chekka bird pair likely dates from the mid-1900s, and has as much character as the day they were made. One wooden bird is painted gray, with dramatic black and white contrasts. The other, a wooden peacock, is royal blue with black and white stripes and a brightly painted peacock feather tail. Both birds balance on wire feet. We love them.
DETAILS
These delicate toy bird figurines were hopefully loved and store played with for years, and they do show wear. We still think they're beauties, and a rare find; please view all photos, noting various age marks and the damage to the tails, to make sure you feel the same way. The black and gray bird might have also had a plume once, too.
The underside of the tails is stamped India.
DIMENSIONS
2..5 to 3". Miniatures, but a much larger scale than other Nirmal Ponki Chekka animal figurines you may have seen.
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Thanks for stopping by! We're Ben and Kassie.
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Citizen of Clement grew from the fun we've had furnishing our San Francisco apartment with vintage goods found at Bay Area estate sales. Always more lovingly hunted homewares and decor to come.
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Product code: Vintage Nirmal Ponki Chekka Bird Figurines / Vintage Indian Wood Wire store Bird Figurines