I've been there several times and LOVE it! I posted a link a long time ago so it's nice to see it referenced again. Actually, they aren't all wood wood carvings. What Bruno does is find interesting bits of wood and adds clay to them. Bruno is a sweetheart! He's let us watch him work and gives tours of his studio. I also see him every so often at the local flea markets. Marysville is a beautiful town and I even once asked DH if we could move there - it looks like the eastern part of Pennsylvania, very wooded. He's an amazing artist and always adding to his 'garden'. You can spend the whole day there; it's just that peaceful. I've never been there when there were people about so usually me & DH have the whole place to ourselves. Magical.

I'm wondering - traditionally a Pyx (host holder) would be a round lidded affair about the size of a pocket watch; usually in gold or silver. Although folk art examples do exist world wide made from available local materials. Thinking also to the "Trial of the Pyx" in the UK where newly minted coins are presented to a jury to confirm they meet required standards. The coins are presented in a box called a pyx. I'd question any religious significance in this case.

Since the wood has a reddish color, it may be mahogany, walnut, or cherry. However, what you see where the finish is chipped off may not be the natural color. The wood may have been stained before the finish coat applied. Examine the chipped area. Is it the original surface of the wood, or has the surface layer been chipped off as well, revealing the true wood color?

Agree....but your picture is so dark and shows so few details that I couldn't even give an estimate....has it been painted black? And why do you call ti a priests chair?