A whimsical sculpture of an owl sitting on a book, wings slightly spread. Maybe it was meant to be a paperweight or just a clever piece of art. It really looks like a cold painted Austrian bronze but the material is unknown. The owl appears to be metal--it is cold like metal and has a burnished golden finish and even sounds like metal when the figure is tapped. The book it is standing on has a few minor dings but given that this piece probably dates from 1890-1920, it is in remarkable condition. With his thoughtful look, it makes a great addition to a desk in a library or a coffee table.