This is a very skillfully-carved rosewood statue of Garuda - a half-man, half-eagle creature in the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faiths (this is the Hindu version, where Lord Vishnu, the preserver and protector of the universe, is riding on Garuda's back).

Garuda is a swift and ever-vigilant winged protector, and a sworn enemy of the snake-people. As such, a statue of Garuda is often displayed as a charm to ward off poisonous snakes in regions of the world where that remains a problem.

Statue is 17 1/2" tall and weighs over six pounds. There is some damage to Garuda's Beak and one Tooth, (pictured). As well, some of the thin, intricate back-feathering has shrunk and cracked with age, reinforced at some points on the back with spots of glue (also pictured).

Best price on the Internet for a Rosewood Garuda Statue of this quality