Folk Art from Found Objects: Page 3

Brass head	Large colorful man from chain, car parts, etc.	Doorknob weathervane	Tramp art and matchstick shrine
Memory jar, New York 1931	Rocket ship	Horseshoe stand	Antique folk art bank
Shell lamp with flamingo	Planter from can, clothespins	Found object sculpture	Bread bag rug
Rustic miniature twig swing	Framed collection of 80 figural carved, decorated peach pits		Airplane whirligig
Shell covered salt and pepper set	Barrel birdhouse	Factory model	Painted bottle cap basket
Hand made dipper
Page 1 of Folk Art from Found Objects     Page 2

This is a very nice, old "make-do" dipper, made from a tin sign which still has the remnants of stamped letters. It is attached to a hand carved wood handle through a slit in the end and held by a nail through both handle and metal. The dipper has slits cut so liquid could drain out. This primitive piece was probably made in the early 1900's. It came from the upper Midwest, is in very good, old used condition, and is about 14" long with a width of 7" to the clam shell shaped metal. The price is $150.00. Inventory Code: TOKH.   Hand made dipper ... Side and back views ... Another side view ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... Closeup of back ... Another closeup of the back ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
Larger images:   Hand made dipper ... Side and back views ... Another side view ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... Closeup of back ... Another closeup of the back ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

This is a wonderful "make do" bank, made from a heavy metal can. It is painted in a deep burnt orange, black, and white with a beautiful, crazed surface. It says "Our Kitty" and "R.S. & B.C. 11-1-37", with lovely decoration on the lid also. A small coin slot was cut in the top, only large enough for pennies or dimes. The bottom of the can was carefully cut open about halfway - enough that it could be pried open to remove the contents and then pressed closed again. Dated 1937, the bank is in good used condition. It has one small dent, and some tiny chips in the paint where the lighter orange can label shows through. At one time it was splattered with tiny specks of white paint, mainly on the bottom and back of the bank. It stands 6 1/4" high by 3 3/4" in diameter. The price is $160.00. Inventory Code: TOKK.   360º video (8.1Mb) ... See a slideshow of several views [316k].
Antique folk art bank ... Two more views ... From above ... Side and back views ... Top view ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
Larger images:   Antique folk art bank ... Two more views ... From above ... Side and back views ... Top view ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

This is a metal worker's whimsey: a folk art smiling head made from brass found objects including pipe, plumbing fixtures, nuts, hooks, etc. The top of his "hat" screws off, and small things could be kept inside the entire pipe. The size is 10 3/4" high by 4" wide by 3 1/2" deep. It has a nice well patinated surface and is in excellent condition. The age is unknown, but is likely from the mid 1900's or earlier. The price is $150.00. Inventory Code: PRTP.   Metalworker's whimsey head ... Two more views ... Side views ... Closeups ... Back view ... Another closeup of the head ... Closeup of the face ... Closeup of the base ... From above ... From above, top open ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
Larger images:   Metalworker's whimsey head ... Two more views ... Side views ... Closeups ... Back view ... Another closeup of the head ... Closeup of the face ... Closeup of the base ... From above ... From above, top open ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

An extraordinary Metal man, about 4 feet high and 39" wide, made from found objects, including chains, fuel pump for heart, distributor, springs, reflectors, gears, and more. He was a mailbox holder. This sculpture came from New Hampshire, and was made in the 1950's. It is in excellent, older condition, with beautiful old polychrome paint. The price is $3,500.00. Inventory code: ASRP. Image ... Closeup of head ... Back view ... Closeup of body ... Closeup of arms and legs ... Closeup of head and upper torso.    Larger images:   Image ... Closeup of head.

This whimsical metal weathervane arrow was hand made on a doorknob base. It is 24" long by 5" high, the point is 2" wide. It was most likely made in the 1940's or 50's. It has weathered green paint over remnants of red, and is in excellent condition. The price is $175.00. Inventory Code: AWTT. One side ... The other side, upside down ... Closeup of point ... Closeup of tail.    Larger images:   One side ... The other side, upside down ... Closeup of point ... Closeup of tail.

This is a very strange lighted shrine that combines chip carved tramp art, found objects, and matchstick inlay. A black priest stands behind the altar, flanked by smaller black and white figures. A worshipper kneels in front of the altar, being blessed by the figure of a crowned and robed saint. The altar is built up from chip carved matchsticks, with chairs and steps made with added heavy copper wire and glossy fabric. The base and back are completely covered with matchsticks, including on the back and bottom. The heart-shaped back has several layers of tramp art around the edge, and a tramp art frame with glass, topped with a glitter cross, set in the center. The back of the frame is hinged to insert a picture. There is a tramp art arch decorated with large artificial roses in the front, and tramp art edging around the base. It has a socket on the back, but does not have the cord to plug in. When we tested the connections, two of the three lights lit. We do not recommend the wiring, because we cannot see why the third bulb does not light. This shrine was probably made in the 1960's or 70's. It is 16 1/4" high by 14 1/2" wide by 11 1/2" deep. The cord is missing, as are a few pieces here and there, but it is in overall good condition ready to display. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: TSWA.   Tramp art and matchstick shrine ... Front view ... Closeup ... Second closeup ... Third closeup ... From above ... Another view from above ... Side view ... The other side ... Closeup of front arch ... Top and frame area ... The altar ... Closeup from behind ... Another view from behind ... Back overall ... From below.
Larger images:   Tramp art and matchstick shrine ... Front view ... Closeup ... Second closeup ... Third closeup ... From above ... Another view from above ... Side view ... The other side ... Closeup of front arch ... Top and frame area ... The altar ... Closeup from behind ... Another view from behind ... Back overall ... From below.

This handmade rocket ship was constructed from turned solid wood, heavy chipboard tubing, and plywood, and was painted silver - which is now oxidized. Probably made in the 1970's, it is 21" high, 8 1/4" across the legs, and has a body 4 1/4" in diameter. The top half can be removed. It was made from a solid piece of pine which was turned and carved into shape. The legs are plywood. They also form an interior structure on which the top sits. The tubing is the like very heavy shipping tubes. The rocket has USA painted on it, and a printed cloth American flag glued on. The condition is very good. The price is $85.00. Inventory Code: AAHT. Front ... Back ... Larger front view ... Larger back view.

An old plant stand made from welded horseshoes. Good form and design. It is 27 1/4" high by 13 1/2" in diameter; in excellent condition with weathered black painted surface. Probably made in early 1900's. The price is $295.00. Inventory Code: ASCK.   Image ... Another view.

From Florida comes this tacky souvenir lamp. It has all the qualities one would want in such a piece: A plastic flamingo and palm tree, colored coral, small decorative shells, and the large shell backdrop. This is from the 1950's or 60's, and is in excellent working condition. It is 9" wide, 9"high, and 6" deep. The price is $75.00. Inventory Code: ATKS. Overall Image ... Side view ... Back.    Larger images:   Overall Image ... Side view ... Back.

Here is a planter made from an old can surrounded by old-fashioned painted wood clothespins (not the spring type). The weathered paint is brown over green. Probably made around the 1940's, it is in very good condition. The size is 4 1/4" high by 7 1/4" in diameter. The price is $160.00. Inventory Code: PRWS. Image.

This is an interesting sculptural plaque made from found objects. The materials include wood, masonite, fiberboard, shell, and some unidentified pieces that might be bone. The colors are warm shades of tan, brown, and gray. It measures 14" square and is in excellent condition. The age is difficult to tell - possibly 1950's or earlier. The price is $140.00. Inventory code: PPTA. Overall view ... Closeup.    Larger images:  Overall view ... Closeup.

A nice, oval rug crocheted from bread bag wrappers. The rug is about 31" by 20". It is in excellent condition. The price is $65.00. Inventory Code: AWOW. Image ... Another view.    Larger images:   Image ... Another view.

This is a rustic, miniature twig double swing or glider. It has good form and surface, with bent twigs for the seats and arms, and the swing mechanism. It stands 12 1/4" high by 11 1/2" wide by 12" deep. It was probably made c. 1940's, and is in excellent condition. The price is $145.00. Inventory Code: TPTT.   Miniature twig swing ... Closeup of detail ... Another angle ... A third view ... From one end ... The other end ... End view from above ... Top view ... Another closeup ... Third closeup ... One side ... The other side ... Side view, from above ... From below.
Larger images:   Miniature twig swing ... Closeup of detail ... Another angle ... A third view ... From one end ... The other end ... End view from above ... Top view ... Another closeup ... Third closeup ... One side ... The other side ... Side view, from above ... From below.

This is a mounted and framed collection of 80 carved peach pits. These carvings include many forms and treatments not usually found. They include several with carved faces, a jug, one and two handled cups, canoes, a shoe, wings, a ring, an acorn, pitcher, squirrel, pig, horses, and many different styles and sizes of monkeys and baskets. Some of the baskets have exceptional detail, some have items inside them, some are relatively flat and small, and some very large. The monkeys range from very tiny to large. One is even decorated with beading. They are in excellent condition. The ages are unknown, but they are old. It is rare to find so many different forms and so large a quantity - all in one place. These pieces are mounted in an oak frame on matting. The frame is 26 1/2" by 22 1/2" by 3" deep. They are really striking as a group, but they are mounted so that they could be removed for individual display if desired. The price for the collection is $495.00. Inventory Code: TWCH.   See a slideshow of several views [668k]
Peach pit carvings collection ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... Side view ... Closeup from side ... The other side ... Closeup, other side ... Another closeup from side ... Closeup, upper left ... Closeup, upper right ... Closeup, lower left ... Closeup, lower right ... Closeup, several monkeys and baskets ... With a soda can for scale.
Larger images:   Peach pit carvings collection ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... Side view ... Closeup from side ... The other side ... Closeup, other side ... Another closeup from side ... Closeup, upper left ... Closeup, upper right ... Closeup, lower left ... Closeup, lower right ... Closeup, several monkeys and baskets ... With a soda can for scale.

This airplane whirligig has wonderful colors and form. It has a wood body, metal found objects for the blade, wings, and tail, and plastic wheels and pilot. The wood base was added more recently. The plane itself is 26" long, 15 1/2" wide, and 13 1/2" high; with the base it is 24 1/2" high. There may once have been something else attached over the tail. Probably about 40 years old, it is in very good, weathered condition. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: ATAT. Image ... From behind/side ... Front ... The colors don't show as well in the rest of the photos, but they will show you other angles. The other side ... Back view ... From above ... From below ... Overall, including base.    Larger images: Image ... From behind/side ... Front ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... Overall, including base.

Here is a very nice, old, memory jar. It stands 9 1/4" high, has a maximum diameter of 4 1/2" and an opening of 2". The glass vase is decorated with a variety of colorful and interesting objects, including costume jewelry, a watch, buttons, brooch, beads, a horse shoe, little medals, and even a dog tag from New York State dated 1931. Overall it is in extremely good condition with only very minor loss. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: ATRP. Memory jar ... Second side ... Third side ... Fourth side ... Bottom.   Larger images:  Memory jar ... Second side ... Third side ... Fourth side ... Bottom.

This is a salt and pepper set decorated with shells and coral. They are also finished with a light coat of varnish, and are in excellent condition, with a few small chips, but no missing pieces. They are from the 1950's or 60's and are each 4" high by 3" in diameter. The price of the set is $45.00. Inventory Code: ATHH. Overall view ... From above.

This is a fun and funky apartment house for birds. It is made from an old oak barrel and is decorated with pine cross pieces on top and little pine porches. There are about 12 individual compartments and hand cut openings for the birds. It has been used. The barrel is 16" in diameter, and the height to the top of cross pieces 20 1/2". They are 18" long. This birdhouse was probably made about the 1930's or 40's, but it is very difficult to tell age because of weathering. There is a little loss to the porches and tips of some cross pieces; the overall condition is very good and sturdy. The price is $275.00. Inventory Code: ARCW.   Image ... Another view ... A third view ... From above ... Closeup.
Larger images:   Image ... Another view ... A third view ... From above ... Closeup.

Here is a very funky hand made model of the "Woods Furnitue Co.", complete with misspelling. It is made from cardboard, with wood, metal and plastic found objects, wire, spools, a film canister, and a puff of white cotton smoke from the stack. It is very detailed, with vents, loading docks, boards on the porch, lots of windows lined with plastic mesh, etc. This is a larger, very folky home made copy of a commercially available N-scale train model building! It measures 15 1/2" high by about 25" wide by 11 1/2" deep. The condition is very good, and age is probably within the last 20 years or so. The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: TSSH.   Factory model ... From above ... Back ... One side ... The other side ... Closeup of front ... Closeup of some of the equipment ... Closeup of the porch ... Closeup of top ... Closeup of the loading docks ... Another view from back ... Another side view ... Another closeup from above ... The model it was copied from.
Larger images:   Factory model ... From above ... Back ... One side ... The other side ... Closeup of front ... Closeup of some of the equipment ... Closeup of the porch ... Closeup of top ... Closeup of the loading docks ... Another view from back ... Another side view ... Another closeup from above.

This is a large, good looking, bottle cap basket. Some of the cork lined caps are painted a dark green. They alternate with unpainted ones. The basket is about 16" high by 13" across the handles. The loops average about 6" high. Interestingly, the bottom of the basket is made by interlaced wire. This piece is in excellent, sturdy condition; and was likely made in the 1940's. The price is $285.00. Inventory Code: TSOK.   Painted bottle cap basket ... One side ... Another angle ... The other side ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... One end ... The other end ... From above ... From below ... Closeup from below.
Larger images:   Painted bottle cap basket ... One side ... Another angle ... The other side ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... One end ... The other end ... From above ... From below ... Closeup from below.

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