Lidded Bird Vessel: Arthur Court

A plump bird with a wooden belly and bronze feathers, standing firmly on its own two feet.

This lidded bird vessel is by Arthur Court, from the United States, made around 1970 in carved wood and gilded bronze. Arthur Court built a following in California for animal-themed metal tableware that leaned toward the whimsical. Here an egg-shaped body of warm brown wood is fitted with a gilded head that lifts off as the lid. Round textured wings press against each side, a fanned tail spreads behind, and scaled leaves cup the base above two clawed feet. It is 4.5 inches wide, 5 deep and 6.75 high.

Keeps its secrets, but only until someone lifts its head.