Hand-hammered bird sculptures made from recycled 55-gallon steel oil drums by master metalworkers in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, the world center for Haitian metal art. Each piece is entirely handmade and one of a kind: no stamping, no machinery, no repetition.
The process begins with flattening a discarded steel oil drum. The artist traces their bird design in chalk, with forms drawn from Haitian wildlife and nature, then works with chisels and hammers to cut, shape, and decorate the metal entirely by hand. Every feather, every detail, every contour and dot is stippled with a hammer and nail. When finished, many artists chisel their name into the piece itself.
In the village of Croix-des-Bouquets, the sound of hammer on chisel is constant; a working soundtrack to one of the Caribbean’s most vital craft traditions.
This collection is curated by Casey Riddell, who has worked directly with Haitian metal artists for over 20 years, supporting as many as 120 artists through fair trade relationships. Every purchase flows directly to the artist, their workshop, their apprentices, and their family.
The coated steel finish means these birds can be displayed indoors or mounted outside on a garden wall, barn, or fence.
This collection features birds. We have more Oil Drum art from Haiti separately listed.
(Quail Covey is sold as a set of three: 10.5” x 7”, 8” x 6”, and 5.5” x 4”.)
Read more about the metalworkers of Croix-Des-Bouquets and their process.
Intricately handmade in Haiti.
