Folk art, antiques, and outsider art

• Here is an old, working fish decoy with painted spots. It is carved from wood, with metal fins and metal weights underneath. The decoy is old, with a very crazed surface with good patina. It measures 5" long by 1 1/4" high by 1 3/4" wide, in very good, used condition with minor paint loss on the fins. The eye hook on the back is bent over. The price is $110.00. Inventory Code: TOCR.   Fish decoy ... Side view ... The other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Another back view ... Top view ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
  Larger images:   Fish decoy ... Side view ... The other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Another back view ... Top view ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

• This is a very intricate bottle whimsey built with multiple fans supported on a frame with cross pieces. The fans are further decorated with tiny circles of wood which have been applied to the ends. There is also ribbon and braided thread which has been woven through the fans; and there is chip carving and cross-hatching on the wood frame. The bottle contains six fans of various sizes. They are in generally good condition, although some of the blades have been lost. The inside bottom of the bottle, under the carving, is lined with felt trimmed with braid. This piece is relatively sturdy and should ship well. There is some slight movement in the bottom large fan, but it is secure, and the other five are solid. This piece was probably made in the early part of the 1900's, or possibly earlier. The bottle is about 8" high, 3 1/8" wide, and 2 1/4" deep. The price is $375.00. Inventory Code: TWAH.   Fan carved bottle whimsey ... The other side ... Closeups ... Three more views ... From above and below ... With a soda can for scale.
  Larger images:   Fan carved bottle whimsey ... The other side ... Closeups ... Three more views ... From above and below ... With a soda can for scale.

• Here are two old cast iron bog shoes. They are almost identical, but one is slightly thicker around the rim. These shoes were worn by horses to spread the weight while working in boggy areas of the woods, usually for logging. Both shoes have the same face like form and both have the same patent date of June 7, 1904. The shoes are in very good old condition with a dark patinated surface from years outdoors. They are about 11" long by 10" wide. The attachment arms pivot, so for display, can be set as many different forms. They are priced at $250.00 each, with a discount for the pair. Inventory Code: TWAA.   See a slideshow of several views [338k]
  Cast iron bog shoes ... From above ... One bog shoe ... The other side ... Closeup ... Another angle ... With a soda can for scale ... The other bog shoe ... Another view ... Side view ... The other side ... Closeup ... With a soda can for scale.
  Larger images:   Cast iron bog shoes ... From above ... One bog shoe ... The other side ... Closeup ... Another angle ... With a soda can for scale ... The other bog shoe ... Another view ... Side view ... The other side ... Closeup ... With a soda can for scale.

• Here are two folky, hand made, painted ring toss games. Each has a handle for the player to hold while swinging the ring on the string and trying to catch it on the man's nose. These both have wooden bases they set into for display.

  This man is cut from pine, painted with a suit and tie, green hat, and red nose, and then varnished. It has a great surface, with heavier patina on the handle from lots of use. The donut-shaped wooden ring appears to have been hand carved. At one time it was cracked and reglued. The man measures 9 1/2" long by 6" high by 5/8" thick. The ring is 3 1/4" in diameter by 3/8" thick. It is in very good, used condition with minor surface wear, especially on the ring and the tip of the nose. Probably it was made in the 1930's or 40's. The old string is fragile. The price is $100.00. Inventory Code: THHK.   Ring toss game ... The other side ... With the ring on his nose ... Front views ... Back view ... Off the base ... Both toys together ... Both, from above ... Both, with a soda can for scale.
  Larger images:   Ring toss game ... The other side ... With the ring on his nose ... Front views ... Back view ... Off the base ... Both toys together ... Both, from above ... Both, with a soda can for scale.
  

• This ring toss man is cut from 1/4" plywood, painted with a silver face, dark red hat, and black handle. He is 7 3/4" long by 5" high. The ring is two layers of heavy rubber, probably gaskets of some kind, glued together and painted dark brown. He is in very good, used condition with minor surface wear, from the 1930's or 40's. The string is old and used, but may have been replaced. The price is $85.00. Inventory Code: THHR.   Ring toss game ... The other side ... Front and back views ... With the ring on his nose ... Both toys together ... Both, from above ... Both, with a soda can for scale.
  Larger images:   Ring toss game ... The other side ... Front and back views ... With the ring on his nose ... Both toys together ... Both, from above ... Both, with a soda can for scale.

• Here is an outer space scene drawn in pastels on black paper by Robert E. Gilbert. A small, very detailed spaceship floats among multicolored stars and nebulae, with a large comet near the top. It measures 9 7/8" by 12 3/4", is dated Aug. 5, 1984 on the back, and is in excellent condition. The price is $200.00. Inventory Code: REG86.   Image ... Larger image.

  If you haven't looked at Gilbert's work in a while, we invite you to visit the large collection we now have on the site. You may be surprised at the variety of styles he produced. REG was a prolific contributor of art to science fiction fan magazines, and an occasional author. In addition, from the 1940's through the 80's he did a lot of non-science fiction art, experimenting with traditional and non-traditional styles. Gilbert lived in Tennessee, and died in 1993. His work expresses the strong sense of the alien. Landscapes are strange and unexpected. Even when humans are depicted, they look eerie somehow, as if they were just one more bizarre species in a weird galaxy.

• Here is a very folky pair of primitive painted carved people. They have strong personalities. The man has a carved and painted bolo tie and fancy belt buckle, with turned up cuffs on his pants. The woman is wearing a dress with lots of carved pleats, with a painted necklace and fancy belt. Both have very expressive faces. They will stand without additional support on a flat surface. The man is 17 1/2" tall by about 4 3/4" wide by 2 3/4" deep. The woman is 15 1/2" tall by about 6" wide by 3 3/4" deep. The overall condition is very good. The woman has small age splits on one hand; the other hand has been broken and reglued. The man is missing the tip of one finger. These folky folks were probably made in the 1980's, but could be earlier. They are priced at $225.00 each, or $395.00 for the pair. Inventory Code: THRA.   Carved man and woman ... Another view ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... Top view ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
  Closeup of the woman ... Another closeup ... The woman's hands ... Closeups of the man ... The man's hands.
  Larger images:   Carved man and woman ... Another view ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... Top view ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
  Closeup of the woman ... Another closeup ... The woman's hands ... Closeups of the man ... The man's hands.

• This is an interesting and sculptural piece. It is a saw sharpening tool. Likely hand made and one-of-a-kind, it is constructed from what looks like pine and oak. The wheels both turn. One of them also has a slot to adjust the width. A saw blade would be inserted in the bottom piece and the nut tightened to hold it. Then the user would place a file on one of the wheels and a saw tooth. The turning wheel would allow the file easy travel at a consistent angle. Now, while still useable for that purpose, it is much more of a decorative item. It has good color from the red and green paints. Likely made about the 1940's, it has a little wear, but is in excellent condition. The piece is about 21" wide, 8" high and 3" deep. It can be hung from the screw eye on top. The price is $110.00. Inventory Code: THTO.   See a Slideshow of several views. [262K]
  Saw sharpening tool ... Side view ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... From above ... Back view ... Closeup of back.
  Larger images:   See a Slideshow of several views. [262K] ... Saw sharpening tool ... Side view ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... From above ... Back view ... Closeup of back.

• This figural whimsey carving has two caged balls, with a man's head on top. The man has strong features, and a somewhat medieval looking hat and hair style, perhaps modeled after a chess piece? It measures 9 3/4" high by 2 1/4" by 2 1/4". It is carved from pine with a light stain finish. It is inscribed "W O K" on the bottom. The condition is excellent, and age appears to be mid 20th century. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: TCPW.   Figural whimsey carving ... Several other views ... Side view ... The other side ... Back ... From above ... From below.
  Larger images:   Figural whimsey carving ... Several other views ... Side view ... The other side ... Back ... From above ... From below.

• This is a very decorative wrought iron window grill with a design of linked hearts. It was made c. 1900, and is in very good condition, with weathered, cream colored paint. It is 13" high by 24 1/2" wide. The price is $195.00. Inventory Code: TPRK.   Wrought iron window grill ... The other side ... Another view ... Closeup ... Closeup, the other side ... From above ... Side view.
  Larger images:   Wrought iron window grill ... The other side ... Another view ... Closeup ... Closeup, the other side ... From above ... Side view.

• This is a nice rustic birch and twig picture frame from Maine. The back is thin cedar boards, topped with birch bark and outlined with bent twigs. It was probably made c. 1940's, and measures 10" high by 7" wide by 1/2" thick. The opening is 6" high by 3" wide. The condition is excellent. The photo inside is not original or old. The price is $85.00. Inventory Code: TPCH.   Birch frame ... Closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... Back ... Another back view.    Larger images:   Birch frame ... Closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... Back ... Another back view.

• This is an especially nice and intricate crown of thorns cross with a folky wood carving of Jesus. The entire assemblage is 15 1/4" high, 12" wide, and 6 1/2" deep. Jesus is about 7" high, 4" wide, and an inch deep. This piece is in excellent condition, with no loss. The surface of the carved Jesus is unfinished, while the rest of the construction has a light layer of a clear coat. There are some few areas, notably on top of the two side pieces, where the finish is somewhat heavier. This unusual piece is not exceptionally old, perhaps being made in the 1980's. The price is $225.00. Inventory Code: AKAT.   Image ... 3/4 view ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Closeup from above ... One side ... The other side ... From above ... Back view ... From below ... Bottom.
  Larger images:   Image ... 3/4 view ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Closeup from above ... One side ... The other side ... From above ... Back view ... From below ... Bottom.
  

• Here is an Odd Fellows lodge gavel, dated 1917, from Lookout Mountain, TN. It has a super, satiny-smooth, patinated surface from years of handling and use. The head of the gavel was made from a rustic piece of thick branch, with the bark partly left on. One side was carved down, with the three links standing out in relief. Above and below the links is a burned inscription: "Lookout Mt Jan 21, 1917", something we can't make out, and "Lode (sic) No. 303, by J. W. Bower". The handle is a smaller branch, with most of the bark removed, and polished very smooth with use. The gavel is 9 3/4" long by 4 1/2" wide by 1 1/2" thick. There is a certain amount of appropriate wear on the business end, from hammering meetings to order, otherwise the condition is excellent. The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: TPTC.   Odd fellows gavel ... Closeup ... Side view ... Back ... From above ... From below.    Larger images:   Odd fellows gavel ... Closeup ... Side view ... Back ... From above ... 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.    Larger images:   Image ... Closeup ... The other side ... Closeup, other side ... Side view.

• This is a primitively carved man with a hat, bare feet, and rolled up pants legs. He is walking. His facial features have an almost oriental look, however, these do not show in the photo. This man is chip carved a little coarsely. He was probably made around the 1940's or 50's. There hat brim is missing in the front from a long ago loss, but he in in otherwise excellent condition, with a good patina to the pine wood. The man is 6" high, 3" long, 1 1/2" wide. The price is $95.00. Inventory Code: PCOA. One side view ... Front view ... Second view ... Third view.
  Larger images:   One side view ... Front view ... Second view ... Third view.

• This pottery bathing beauty is fully three-dimensional, reclining on a triangular ashtray. She is natural colored clay decorated with reddish brown glaze. The overall size is 10" wide by 4" deep by 2" high. It is in very good condition, with a few extremely tiny flakes on the edges. She came from Texas, and the bathing suit and hair style are typical of the 1960's. The price is $90.00. Inventory Code: ATWP.   Image ... Front view ... Back view ... From one side ... Bottom.    Larger images:   Image ... Front view ... Back view ... From one side ... Bottom.

• This tank is hand made from a composition material, with a nail for a gun. It is 4" long by 2 1/4" wide by 2 1/4" high, painted brown. It is in fair condition with slight damage around the edges of the treads. The price is $25.00. Inventory Code: AAWT. Image ... 2nd view ... 3rd view    Larger images:   Overall ...2nd ...3rd.

• This is a wooden sign with good color and a nice weathered surface. It reads "Concrete Incinerators Mfg. & Sold Here!" It is painted on both sides in gold, black, red, and blue on a white background. A blue border is made from narrow wood strips attached around the edges. The size is 18" high by 31" wide. It is probably from about the 1950's, and is in excellent condition. The price is $110.00. Inventory Code: PAOW. Image.

• Here is a very folky teepee birdhouse, painted brown, with blue, yellow and red decoration. It is wood, with a canvas top, and one side section is hinged at the top to swing out for cleaning. There are two holes with metal awnings. It is attached to a round wood base that looks like it was one end of a wire spool. It stands 25 3/4" high, and the base is 18" in diameter. It is old, and in very good used and weathered condition. The price is $245.00. Inventory Code: TTHT.   Teepee birdhouse ... Closeup ... Another side ... Third angle ... Fourth view ... From above ... From below.
  Larger images:   Teepee birdhouse ... Closeup ... Another side ... Third angle ... Fourth view ... From above ... From below.

• A very nice, 19th century grain-painted frame, containing a crucifix with metal ornaments symbolic of various aspects of Jesus' life and resurrection. The background is a print of Jerusalem, and there is a card at the bottom that reads "Thy Kingdom Come, 100 days indulgence each time, Pius IX, 14th June 1877". It is 16" wide by 20" high by 3 1/2" deep, in excellent condition. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: PKWT.   Grain painted frame ... Closeup of top ... Closeup of bottom half ... Closeup of crucifix.    Larger images:   Grain painted frame ... Closeup of top ... Closeup of bottom half ... Closeup of crucifix.
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• This very folky life size 3-D figure was made as a self-portrait by a painter and handyman in Weaverville, NC. It is made of wood, wire mesh, carpet, and plaster; painted and dressed in the maker's old clothes. When he finished the piece, he hung it on his front porch. His wife came home, saw it, and thought he had killed himself. It is 6 feet 5" high by 19" wide by 9" deep, in good, weathered condition. One plywood hand is missing and the other has lost a finger. The legs are slightly uneven lengths, and there are no feet, this appears to be how it was originally made. This is a striking, one of a kind figure. The price is $2200.00. Inventory Code: PAKO.   Life size folk art figure ... Closeups of his head ... Side views ... Back view ... With a yardstick and soda can for scale ... Closeup, side view ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup of hands ... Closeup of feet.
  Larger images: Life size folk art figure ... Closeups of his head ... Side views ... Back view ... With a yardstick and soda can for scale ... Closeup, side view ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup of hands ... Closeup of feet.

• 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.

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