Your carving has been treated with danish oil.
It's a living and breathing piece of wood, so is suitable for outdoors.
It will develop some cracks or shakes depending on the wood and how you look after it,
to minimise this and prolong the longevity you can do the following :
- Avoid placing the carving directly on the grass or soil : raise the carving slightly allowing for airflow underneath or place it on a form of stone or slate for best results.
- Place ideally in a slightly shaded spot.
- Treat the carving with Danish oil or something similar for rough sawn wood, two to three times a year. ( Don't forget to coat the base and bottom of the carving ) .
- Always place carvings securely especially when large.
IF LOOKED AFTER CORRECTLY, THE CARVING WILL LAST A LONG TIME.