You are right. That's just what I was going to say. I'm not sure how you could find it if you don't know who carved it other than doing image searches using various phrases with wooden carved Eagle on wood base. Maybe adding numbered carving and "Eagles Wings" in the mix too. You might want to go back with your camera and take some close ups to see if enlarged you can read any artists name on it too.

If it were $350, I would say do some investigating. But for $35, which is what you might spend on a meal out that will be literally flushed away the next day,I would just go for it. What matters most is that it gives you pleasure and has value to YOU.

If you go back and take a photo, you can use it to search google images and see if you get any hits. Take the pic with a plain background so the eagle is really featured.

"it was really gorgeous to me.

[...]

$35 they are asking for it. I know you will probably say if you like it, buy it,"

Seems to me you already know what your next step should be. :)

"The thing is that I don't know if it is of any real value but it was really gorgeous to me. "

Then it DOES have real value... to YOU!

I collect wooden carved things...people, animals, birds. I never think of the value...just do I like them and do I have a place for them in my home. $35.00 sounds very reasonable...even an unsigned piece. Some of my collection have appreciated but most of them were just something I loved and still love.

If it's signed it's genuine wood and hand carved. You should have grabbed it, it may be gone when you go back. A carving that size would cost at least 200 to 400 and if a listed carver it would be more.

Well, too late! I went back today and it was gone, of course. I don't think it was all wood - that is what threw me - but it wasn't ceramic for sure. What else could it have been? The colors were soft and muted on the eagle. I remember seeing similiar things out west when we were in the national parks. This one was 12"wide by about 12" tall. What seemed strange was that the wooden base was much smaller than what I thought the base should have been - made it look unbalanced. It was on the top shelf of the display along with the plastic kitchen ware stuff. When I reached for it, I had to lift it with both hands. The eagle had its wings spread and head slightly turned to the side.

I know I should have taken it - I seldom have seen anything out of the normal everyday dishes, pots, pans there in the housewares area. I think someone put it there in a crowded area where it could be overlooked. Usually their better items are in a showcase area along with the jewerly.

Oh well, lesson learned. I think I will be checking our local Craigslist to see if something like it shows up in the next few weeks. You never know.

Well pooh. I guess that means it wasn't meant to be yours.
I'm wondering if it might have been resin since you're not sure it was all wood.

I live in a town that has a known sculpture. He shut down the local foundry and now has his works produced overseas. They are still numbered and considered collectible. But as said above, are resin. My hobby in arts and two collectible interests went away when so much was produced overseas and the art became calendars. I understand the artists can make far more money doing this, but they no longer seem unique and my interest fades.

Justgotabeme - I think you may be right - I couldn't think of the name of it. I hope whoever bought it, enjoys it.
(sigh).

Yep, so many things that once were wood or ceramic are now resin. I used to collect ceramic angels, but once the last one I ordered arrived in resin I stopped ordering them.
I'm with emagineer in thinking their not worth it anymore. And don't even get me on things made in china.
I would imagine you'll someday fine an eagle that you'll love even more than the one you missed since there are many collectors of eagles. My son did when he was a teen. I have a few myself. None wooden though.

You might consider the hot pin test. You would want to find a place where the mark from the pin will not show.
If plastic it will melt. You are going to get lots of comments from people here about why not to this but it is a pretty true test.