RARE Michael Salazar Signed Bark Technique St. Francis Cedar Bulto

A rare and moving hand-carved cedar bulto of San Francisco de Asís (St. Francis with Bird) by Michael Salazar of Taos, New Mexico — son of legendary santero Leo G. Salazar. A label affixed to the base records: “Passed Away Aug 4/86, 21 yrs old.” Michael Salazar died at age 21, having carved for only approximately five years. His entire output is extraordinarily small and increasingly rare. This piece is visually unique in the Salazar tradition: the lower two-thirds of the figure intentionally retains the weathered outer bark of the cedar log, left rough and uncarved as a deliberate artistic statement. Only the head, face, and hands are carved smooth — the refined face with deeply carved curly hair, beard, and hooded cowl emerging from the raw wood of the body. St. Francis holds a bird in cupped hands at the chest. The contrast between the weathered bark and the carved face gives the piece an almost totemic quality unlike any other bulto in this tradition. 13.5″x3.75″x3.25″ 1.5 lbs Please see pictures for condition details as the photos are considered part of the description.