(#TB-BIRD-9) Beautifully hand crafted tagua nut figurine of detailed three owls (two owls standing on the bottom owl), 3 tagua nuts, on wood base.

Top itself average 2-1/4" tall x 2-1/2" wide x 1-3/4" deep

On wood base it is 3-1/2" tall, base is 2-1/2" diameter

Weight average: 4.2 ounces

BY WAYAN TIKI

Hand-made in Bali.

A TAGUA NUT is a seed that comes from the Tagua palm tree (also called a nut palm) (Phytelephas Aequatorialis) in Ecuador, South America. The pure cellulose, milky substance inside is edible in liquid or semi-liquid (jello-like) form by people and animals. But once it solidifies in the sun for several months, it is then very hard. (takes a hacksaw to cut) and can be hand-made. Each fruit pod, covered in a horned husk, the size of grapefruit or melon, contains 4 or more seeds (or nuts) about the size of a hen's egg. Natives that raise these trees do not cut down the rain forests anymore because these trees are now a source of income. These nuts are hand hand-made and accented with inlaid wood, tagua shell powder, coconut powder and coconut shell. The caramel colored pieces have been briefly deep fried to achieve this color. Often a small spot of brown nut is left on an otherwise all white figurine so it is not mistaken for pachyderm material by customs officials. A creative use for a natural item (pachyderm friendly!) we are pleased to add to our collection of Weird Gifts!