Folk Art from Found Objects: Page 2

Muffler man from Georgia over 4 feet tall	"Starship Energizer" birdhouse	Home made one-string bass	Postage stamps and watercolor
Pair of memory jugs by the same maker from MD, very nicely decorated, names, etc.		Wooden horse weathervane with sparkplug weight	19th c. blacksmith's trade sign made from iron and horse shoes
One of Three Telephone wire car model	Memory jug with Scotty dogs	Carved whimsy with 1904 Indian Head pennies	1950's Bottle cap basket
Four folky trivets made from old keys	Fantastic flowers made from natural burl shapes	"Sleepy" Doll eyes and mechanism	Rustic plant stand
Large yard art robot	Peach pit basket pin	Large barbed wire wreath	Trench art jeep and tank from tin cans, found objects
"Age of Aquarius" found object music box	Match stick heart and cross dated 1941		Painted stool with spool legs
Page 1 of Folk Art from Found Objects     Page 3

This smiling muffler man is a wonderful piece of found object art. He is fully three-dimensional, wearing a metal cap and belt, with lug nut buttons. He was made by the owner of a muffler shop in northwestern Georgia in the late 20th century, and mounted out front. The clever use of materials, his happy expression, and sense of movement make us smile. He is a nice size, standing 51 1/4" tall by 27 1/2" wide by 11" deep. This can be shipped by FedEx. The condition is sturdy and excellent, with minor weathering from outdoor use. There is a rough, bright spot on the back of the left foot, where he was cut loose from the post he was welded to at the shop. The price is $1100.00. Inventory Code: TRAW.   See a slideshow of several views [535k] ... Muffler man ... Closeup of head ... Another closeup ... Side views ... Back view ... Closeup ... Closer view of head ... Side view of head ... Back of head ... From above ... Back of head, from above ... Closeup of body ... Another closeup of the body ... Back view of the body ... One hand ... The other hand ... Closeup of feet ... Feet, from front ... Back of feet ... On site at the muffler shop ... Cutting him loose ... With a yardstick for scale.

This is a birdhouse made like the Starship Enterprise. It was done by Eugene Poore probably in the 1970's or '80's. He called it the "Starship Energizer". It is made from found objects, including a pantry or cheese box, wood, tin, dowels, and a banister part. It is painted an old red, white, and blue. The birds' houses are in the main body and both nacelles.

The Energizer is in good condition with typical weathering from outdoor use. Some of the dowels have been replaced, but that doesn't show. It is 42" long, about 17" high", and 38" wide; and was definitely used by birds (possibly from the Klingon home world). The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: PKAT.   Starship birdhouse ... Overall ... The other side ... Front ... Close-up, from above ... From behind ... Another angle ... Another side view.

A highly unusual home made one string electric bass, with amplifier and speaker. It has a carved wooden handle on top of which the string is attached. When pivoted it changes the tension on the string and therefore the note. The bass is 24" high, 12" wide and 5" deep. It is made of wood, covered by Naugahyde on the sides and part of a chenille spread on the front. The amp/speaker is in an old carrying case 14" wide, 13" high and 7" deep. The price is $150.00. Inventory Code: PRKW. Image.

Here is a very nice little framed postage stamp and watercolor painting. The scene is of the ocean with a large rock made out of stamps, while the rest - shoreline, birds, people, sea, and sky are painted. It is signed F. M. M. and dated 1938. On the back is written, in French, details of where it was made, in Quebec, and apparently at an abbey or monastery. This was probably sold to make some money for it. The condition of the frame and painting are excellent. There is a tear in the backing paper. The frame is 6 1/2" wide by 4 1/2" high. The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: ATAP.   Front ... Back.

Here is an attractive coil or wreath of old zinc barbed wire. It is about 30" in diameter and 4" thick. The wire is a twisted ribbon with points. This is old and in good condition. It is a very large and decorative piece. The price is $275.00. Inventory Code: TSRO.   Barbed wire wreath ... Another view ... Closeup ... Second closeup ... With yardstick for scale.

Here is an extremely well done matching pair of memory jugs. They are each in excellent, almost perfect condition, with only a very tiny amount of loss. Each one is decorated with a huge variety of objects. Both have the same family name of Plummer and Maryland items on them. Other decorations include badges (one from the 1939 New York world's fair), costume jewelry, perfume bottles, advertising pieces, coins, shells, buttons, beads, chains, mirror, screws, gears, shards of dishware, and a variety of other interesting, unusual, and colorful objects. They were almost certainly done by the same person, probably around 1950. Each jug is about 9 1/2" high by 6" in diameter. Together they make a most interesting pair, and very good examples of this art form. The price is $675.00 for the pair. Inventory Code: TKRA.   See a slideshow of the first jug [548k] ... See a slideshow of the second jug [729k].

Pictures of the first jug:   One of a pair of memory jugs ... Another side ... Third side ... Fourth side ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... Third closeup ... From above ... From below ... Another view from below ... Both jugs together ... Both jugs, with a soda can for scale.

Pictures of the second jug:   Memory jug ... Another side ... Third side ... Fourth side ... Fifth side ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... World's Fair badge ... Closeup of neck ... Badge with name and town ... From above ... From below ... Both jugs together ... Both jugs, with a soda can for scale.

A nice wooden horse weathervane in weathered gray and black paint on both sides. An old spark plug was added to the front of the arrow to make it balance. It is 44 1/2" long by 16" high. The horse is cut from 1/2" plywood; the arrow is solid wood 1 1/2" thick. There is a metal plate with a hole for the pivot underneath. From Indiana, c. 1940's, it is in very good condition with a few very minor chips. The price is $295.00. Inventory Code: ASHS.   Horse weathervane ... The other side ... Closeup of the horse ... Closeup of the horse, other side ... Closeup of the arrow and sparkplug ... Closeup of the arrow, other side ... From above ... From below.

This is an old iron trade sign for a blacksmith shop. It was made and forged, using a variety of horse shoes, welded around a much larger stylized horse shoe. This encloses a cut and hammered anvil and blacksmith's hammer. The piece is about 28 1/2" high by 25 1/2" wide. It is in excellent condition, and has developed an old dark rich surface, which is highly desirable and reflects many years of outdoor use. There are a few small old paint drips, mostly on the back. It was probably made in the mid to late 1800's. The price is $2500.00. Inventory Code: TROC.   See a slideshow of several views [482k] ... 19th c. blacksmith's trade sign ... Closeup of top ... Closeup of anvil and hammer ... Closeup of bottom ... Closer view of top ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... Closeup of the back.

Here are three folk art cars made mostly from telephone wire, plus some found objects. They were done by Clifton Eugene Dale as payment for treatment by his local doctor, who was a car collector. Mr. Dale lived in Galax or Independence, VA. Each car is hand made, fairly detailed, and in very good condition. They are not new, but age is unknown. The cars are colorful, somewhat stylized and idiosyncratic. They are priced individually, with a discount for the group.

This white touring car is the largest and most detailed of the three. It is about 13" long by 7" high by 6 1/2" wide and has a vinyl top covering the rear seat, and a "spare tire" on one side. The price is $225.00. Inventory Code: TWOS.   Telephone wire car ... Side view ... The other side ... Front view ... Another front view ... Back view ... Another back view ... From above ... Top view ... From below ... With a soda can for scale ... The three cars together ... All three, front view ... 360º video (5.7Mb).

This green, blue, white, and black car has seats at both ends opening in to the center (a reversible tourer?). It is well built with lots of nice detail and is also in very good condition. This car is about 11" long by 5 1/2" wide by 5 1/2" high. The price is $175.00. Inventory Code: TWOP.   Model touring car ... Side view ... The other side ... Another angle ... Front views ... Back views ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale ... The three cars together ... All three, front view.

This boxy green car seems to represent an early vehicle. It also is very detailed, including a lever for steering instead of a wheel, and is almost as tall as long. The car is 8 1/2" long by 8" high by 4 1/4" wide. It is in very good condition also. The price is $150.00. Inventory Code: TWOA.   Model car ... Side view ... The other side ... Front views ... Back view ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale ... The three cars together ... All three, front view.

This is a very well decorated memory jug topped with a pair of ceramic Scotty dogs. Other decorations include a blue glass vial, springs and gears from a pocket watch, advertising and good luck medallions, chains, hardware, costume jewelry, game pieces, nuts, and much more. They are applied over a brown pottery jug. The size is 13 1/2" high by about 4" in diameter, with the applied pieces sticking out farther than that. The condition is excellent: I could only find two very small pieces missing. It was probably made around the 1960's or earlier. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: TSOT.   Memory jug ... Closeup ... One side ... Back ... The other side ... Second closeup ... Third closeup ... Fourth closeup ... Fifth closeup ... From below.

Here is an interesting whimsey. It is a carved pine penny holder with several links of chain attached. There are two 1904 Indian Head pennies set in to the holder. They were likely put in after the wood was soaked, as they are secure. The holder is about 6" by 2 1/2" and 7/8" thick. It is almost 13" long with the links. The carving has been stained a dark walnut color. There is a little wear to the holder, but otherwise it is in excellent condition. It was likely made in the early 1900's. The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: AKCS.   Image ... Closeup ... The other side ... Closeup, other side ... Side view.

This is a double handled bottle cap basket, with good form, size, and age. Many of the caps still retain good color, while others have varying degrees of old, darker oxidation covering some of the surface. The caps are cork lined and have come from a variety of sources, including many old Pepsi and Nehi ones, as well as from other sodas. The basket is sturdy and very well built. The bottom is a large metal can lid. This piece is in old excellent condition. It is about 8" high by 11" across the handles and 6 1/4" in diameter at the base. It was probably made around the 1950s. The price is $245.00. Inventory Code: TKOR.   See a slideshow of several views [423k] ... Bottle cap basket ... The other side ... Closeup ... Closeup from below, showing cork ... Another overall view ... Side view ... The other side ... From above ... Top view ... Closeup from above ... Another angle ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

Here are four very folky trivets made from felt which has been covered with old keys sewn on. The keys range in age from very old (1800's) to 1960's or 70's styles, which is probably when these were made. They are in good condition with no missing keys, although a bit grungy and with loose threads from the crude stitching. Two are 5" in diameter. The red one is 4 1/2" by 4 3/4", and the oval green one is 4 3/4" by 5 3/4". Three are priced at $45.00 each; the oval green one (bottom left in the group photo) is $55.00. Inventory Code: ATHR.   All four ... The backs ... One ... Second ... Third ... Fourth.

Here are two old sculptures of "flowers" made from natural burl shapes. These were both found in the same area of western North Carolina. They are unsigned, but the similarities in style and construction make it very likely they were made by the same person. While the exact age of each is unknown, they both seem to have been made around the 1930's or 40's. They are in excellent condition.

First is an incredible and very unusual bouquet of individual "flowers". The burls have fantastic forms and detail, and have been mounted with branch stems on a wooden base. They vary slightly in color, and have been finished with a light clear varnish. The bouquet measures 20 1/4" high by approx. 18" wide and 13" deep. It is in excellent condition, with very minor wear on the leaf shape, and is old. Even the close-ups don't do justice to the intricacy and detail of these flowers. The price is $825.00. Inventory Code: ATWR.   See a slideshow of several views [694k] ... Burl flowers sculpture ... Closeup of 1 flower ... Closeup 2 flowers ... From above ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... Another view ... A third closeup, from above ... A fourth closeup ... Back view of the top half ... Back view of the bottom half ... View of the top half ... With the other sculpture and a soda can for scale ... Both burl pieces ... Another view of both ... Third angle ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... 360º Video [9 Mb].

This second sculpture of "flowers" is made from a single natural burl shape. It has wonderful form and detail, and has been mounted on a wooden base that may have been a box lid. The piece is finished with a light clear varnish. It is also from NC, and measures 12" high by approximately 7" wide and 5" deep. The base is about 6" by 7". This sculpture is in excellent condition, from around the 1930's or 40's. The price for this sculpture is $275.00. Inventory Code: TKOT.   See a slideshow of several views [612k] ... Burl flowers ... Closeups of top ... Closeup of lower ... Closeup from behind ... From above ... Both burl pieces ... Another view of both ... Third angle ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... This burl only, from above ... Top view ... From below ... With a soda can for scale ... 360º Video [6.2 Mb].

Here is a pair of "sleepy" doll eyes with the weighted mechanism to make them open and close. The blue eyes have been mounted on a black wooden base so that they are free to rotate. The mechanism gives a weird "face" to the eyes. The eyes appear to be plastic, with synthetic lashes. The mechanism is steel, with heavy copper wire and a lead weight. The eyes are 1 1/2" wide by 1 7/8" high by 1 1/4" deep. As mounted, they stand 4 1/2" high by 2 1/2" by 2 1/2". They are in excellent condition, with light oxidation on the metal parts, and date from the mid 20th century. The price is $110.00. Inventory Code: TWST.   Doll eyes ... Several more views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale.

This is a rustic plant stand made from chip-carved twigs. It is painted dark green, and has an upper plant holder and a lower shelf. The size is 34 1/2" high by 15" by 14". It is in very good condition, with minor paint loss, and one missing twig, about 3" long, on the base. This stand is no more recent than the 1930's or 40's. The price is $245.00. Inventory Code: AKRP.   Rustic twig plant stand ... Closeup of top ... Another angle ... Closeup of middle ... Another closeup of the middle ... From above ... Second side ... Third side ... Fourth side.

These two large and funky yard art people have great character. One also doubles as a birdhouse. They have log torsos with hinged wood arms and legs, plywood feet, and faces highlighted with paint and found objects. They are both in excellent, weathered condition, and could be as old as the 1950's or 60's or might be a little bit more recent, but nicely weathered and not new. They were made in Minnesota. They are priced separately, with a discount for the pair.   Both yard art log people ... Front view ... The other side ... In the yard. Following are individual details and photos.

The first one has a robot face made from found objects, with a plywood cap topped by a red light bulb in a ceramic socket. His expression seems dismayed. He has a blue hat, brown feet, and blue and yellow paint on his face. He measures 46" high when stretched out. Seated, as he is in the photos, he is 37" high from his feet to the top of his light bulb. He is about 12" wide, and 11" deep (21" deep when seated). The price is $750.00. Inventory Code: TPST.   Man with light bulb hat ... Closeup ... Front view ... The other side ... Second closeup of face ... Closeup of face from front ... Closeup of upper body and head ... Closeup from side ... Closeup of body ... From above ... Another view from above ... With Matt, for scale.

The second person has a mechanism to make his tongue go in and out, and his eyes pop out and back. It works by turning the knob on the side of his face. His head is also a birdhouse, with a hole in the back. He has a painted plywood face, and blue hat and feet. He measures about 46" high overall, 39" high when seated. He is 13" wide, and 11" deep (22" deep seated). The price is $750.00. Inventory Code: TPSC.   Birdhouse man ... Closeup, tongue out, eyes in ... Closeup, tongue in, eyes out ... Front view ... The other side ... Another closeup ... Closeup of body ... Back ... Closeup of back ... Closeup from front ... Animation of action.

This whimsey pin is a carved leaf with three dangling baskets carved from peach pits. The baskets are attached with hand made copper wire loops. The leaf is 3 1/2" wide, each basket is about 1" high, and the overall height is 2 1/4". A safety pin is attached to the back for wearing. It is from the early 1900's, has a nice surface and patina, and is in very good condition. The price is: $95.00. Inventory Code: ATCS. Overall view ... Back ... Another overall view.

A very unusual "trench art" (actually attributed as P.O.W.) jeep and tank. These are models made from tin cans, and found objects. From W.W.II, they are intricate, detailed replicas with moving parts: wheels and steering wheel on the jeep, and the gun, treads, and pulleys on the tank. They are both in very good condition, with an old oxidized surface. The jeep is 5" long by 2 3/4" wide and high. The tank is 6" long, 3 3/4" wide and 4 1/2" high. The price is $200.00 each, or $375.00 for both. Inventory Code: AHSP.   Image ... Another view ... From above.

This folky metal drummer assemblage is actually a wind up music box. The drummer is constructed of springs, heavy wires, and light metal. The drums and stage are also all metal. The music box mechanism is mounted on a piece of wood under the base. It is pretty intricate. The size is about 7 1/2" high by 6 1/2" wide by 6" deep. It was likely made in the 1960's or 1970's and is in fairly good used condition. There are normal scratches and oxidation to the metal. The pièce de résistance comes when you wind the key and then listen to an extremely "sick" rendition of the opening bars of "The Age of Aquarius". The price is $110.00. Inventory Code: TWKA.   Metal drummer music box ... Front view ... Side views ... Back view ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale ... Hear the music in this video (10.4Mb).

This is one of the nicest pieces of matchstick art we have seen. It is a three-dimensional heart and cross, standing on a pedestal base with four small feet. There is a zig-zag banner across the front of the heart. It has a clear varnish finish. It is dated 1941 on the bottom. The workmanship is very fine, with an elegant look that almost brings a double-take on realizing it is constructed entirely of match sticks. It measures 4 3/4" high by 2 1/2" wide by about 2 3/4" deep. It is in excellent, near-perfect condition, with only two faint blemishes in the varnish. The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: TOWT.   Match stick heart and cross ... Front view ... Two more views ... Side views ... Back views ... From above and below ... With a soda can for scale.

This is a nice little handmade and colorfully painted stool. It has great color and design. The piece was made from crate wood with long spools for legs. The top and sides are decoratively painted with a bull's-eye in the center, portions of circles in the corners and several polka dots. Three of the four spool legs are painted, but they all seem to be original. The fourth has some pencil writing which includes part of the phrase "Thy will be" with some additional writing on either side, and also a heart and some words on the leg; so our guess is that it was deliberately left unpainted so as not to cover the writing. The stool is in very good, sturdy condition with some obvious wear from years of use, and what seems like a little bit of white paint on the top. It was probably made around the 1940's, and is about 12 1/4" wide by 10 1/2" deep by 7 1/2" high. The price is $175.00. Inventory Code: CSPH.   See a slideshow of several views [766k] ... Painted stool ... Another angle ... One side ... Top view ... One end ... The other end ... From below ... Closeup of the writing ... More writing ... Third view of writing ... Other side, with a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Painted stool ... Top view.

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