This is a large vintage Spanish hand-carved wooden friar/monk figure by Ouro Artesanía, a maker whose whimsical carved figures were popular Spanish export decorative pieces in the mid-20th century.

The figure depicts a wonderfully well-fed wine-loving friar or monastery cellarer, spectacles, a hooded habit and rope belt. He raises a small goblet in his right hand while carrying a wine bottle or jug in his left. A pair of large keys hangs from his belt, reinforcing the idea that he may represent the monastery's cellar keeper.

The underside is clearly stamped:

OURO
ARTESANIA
MADE IN SPAIN
Nº [number partially indistinct]

That mark is important. Ouro Artesanía produced a range of hand-carved Spanish figures, including monks, peasants, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. Surviving pieces are commonly cataloged as 1950s-1960s Spanish carvings.

The carving is considerably more ambitious than many small Ouro figures. Details include the spectacles, individual fingers wrapped around the goblet, sandal-clad feet, bottle, keys, rope belt and deeply carved hood and robe folds. The dark stain makes excellent use of the pronounced wood grain.

2 pounds,14 ounces. 15" tall.