Vintage pair of traditional Quebec folk art wood carvings depicting an elderly "habitant" couple, which represents the early rural settlers of French Canada. Seated in rustic rocking chairs, the figures are carved using a distinct "flat-plane" whittling technique where individual knife and tool marks are intentionally left visible to provide texture and character. As this couple have been in a display cabinet for decades, the condition is pristine, other than a bit of dust and slight age-darkening of the soft wood, probably pine.
This specific style of craft tradition is heavily centered in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, Quebec, widely recognized as the wood carving capital of the province. The art form was originally popularized in the 1930s by pioneering regional artists like the Bourgault family and was subsequently produced by various local workshops and independent artisans throughout the mid-to-late 20th century. Many variations of these old folks in rocking chairs were made by different recognized Quebecois carvers, and individual pieces are frequently signed so you know the specific artist, although there doesn't seem to be any name on this lovely pair.
