Handcrafted out of iron, this stylized bird effigy represents the Khonds' illimitable animistic thought and love for nature. It possesses a triangular face and flat extended tail, thereby demonstrating the distinctive artistic stylization of the Khonds, centered on geometric forms and symbolic representation. The tiny hole in the body indicates its possible ritualistic application, either as a mounting device or as part of some ceremonial apparatus.
By origin, the Khonds, an indigenous tribal community, are mostly centralized in Orissa. Metalwork is their special domain, and their work with figures that carry spiritual meaning is most well-known. Bird effigies like the present one have something to do with rituals-protection, charms, or offerings to deities. The bird symbol carries further meaning, perhaps as a reference to messengers between the human and spiritual worlds. The craftsmanship reflects a tradition that has been passed down through generations, thus displaying the Ks' skill in iron forging and elevating the mundane objects into those with elaborate cultural and spiritual meanings.