Browse Folk Art - Page 18

Odd Fellows tunic	Multiple unfolding whimsey pliers	Tropical village in a bottle whimsy	19th century carvings
Painted bottle cap basket	Folky corner shelf	Gardener whirligig	Tramp art and matchstick shrine
Shell memory vases	Tramp Art Doll's cradle	1889 Sponge painted wall pocket	Rabbit drawing
Rustic swivel frame	Four cast iron snowbirds	Carved Alligator cane handle	Whimsey carving

This is striking tunic originally used by the Odd Fellows either for initiations or plays. It is made from cotton. There is a colorful embroidered sun on the front. The ends of the rays are costume jewels. It is further decorated with metal studs. The label inside indicates that this costume was for "David as Commander". This is in very good wearable condition with very slight soiling, minor wear to the collar, and some tarnish to some of the metal decorations. (We're being very picky about this - you have to look closely to see it.) The tunic was made by M.C Lilley & Co., in the late 1800's or early 1900's, prior to 1925, when the company's name was changed. It measures 40" long from the back of the collar to the hem and 22 1/2" across just under the arms. The sleeves are 24" long from the shoulder seam. The loose cut lets it be worn by a variety of sizes. The price is $225.00. Inventory Code: THTK.   See a Slideshow of several views. [286K]
Odd Fellows tunic ... Another view ... Sides and back ... Closeup of sunburst ... Closeup of hem decoration ... Closeup of sleeve ... Label inside ... With another model.
Larger images:   Odd Fellows tunic ... Another view ... Sides and back ... Closeup of sunburst ... Closeup of hem decoration ... Closeup of sleeve ... Label inside ... With another model.

This is a matching pair of very well-decorated shell memory vases. The vases are cement, and are entirely covered with even rows of small shells, enhanced with floral and swirling patterns. Some of the shells are painted with red, green, blue, pink, and white. Each vase stands 7" high by 3 3/4" wide by 3 1/4" deep. They are in excellent condition, with just a few broken shells. These vases were most likely made in the 1920's or 30's. The price is $225.00. Inventory Code: TCCH.   Shell memory vases ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... Closeup of one vase ... Closeup of the other ... From above ... From below.
Larger images:   Shell memory vases ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... Closeup of one vase ... Closeup of the other ... From above ... From below.

This is an old whimsey carved pliers with good age, maybe circa 1940's. It is about 7 3/4" long and unfolds into seven pliers: three full pliers plus four additional smaller pliers. This piece has an unfinished surface with a good patina. It is in very good, old condition. One little piece in an end has been replaced. The price is $175.00. Inventory Code: TPPC.   Carved whimsy pliers ... Another view ... From front ... Partly opened ... Folded up ... Closed, from back ... Closed, from side.    Larger images:   Carved whimsy pliers ... Another view ... From front ... Partly opened ... Folded up ... Closed, from back ... Closed, from side.

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.

This is a folky wood triangular corner shelf. It is freestanding, 63" high and has five shelves. Each of the shelves has a curved front and folksy scalloped backs. The front legs are nicely tapered. This piece was made from pine, likely in the early 1900's. It has a nice old dark lacquer surface with a little wear from use. The size across the bottom is 14 1/2" along each side, 20" across the shelf, and 14" deep to the center. This piece is in very good and sturdy condition. The price is $285.00. Inventory Code: AKHA.   Folky corner shelf ... Closeup of the top ... Top two shelves ... Middle shelf ... Next to bottom shelf ... Bottom shelf ... Side view ... The other side ... Closeup of the leg ... Back view ... Closeup of back ... One side of the back ... Other side of the back.
Larger images:   Folky corner shelf ... Closeup of the top ... Top two shelves ... Middle shelf ... Next to bottom shelf ... Bottom shelf ... Side view ... The other side ... Closeup of the leg ... Back view ... Closeup of back ... One side of the back ... Other side of the back.

Here is a nice folky whirligig from Maine. Made about the 1940's, it has unusual construction with a small 4-bladed fan on top. When it turns the gardener's arms and hoe go back and forth. This piece is hand made from pine, plywood, and metal. It is mounted on a wood base which originally may have been either a hat form or a foundry mold. It has an old and oxidized surface with nice paint and good color. There is some paint loss and rust on the blade. The condition is very good. The whirligig is about 27" high to the top of the blades, including the base. It is 39" long and 3" wide. The blade is about 9" in diameter, while the base is about 11" across. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: THAC.   See a Slideshow of several views. [386K] ... Video of the action. [589k]
Gardener whirligig ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of man ... Closeup of tail ... Man, one side ... Man, other side ... Two back views ... Two front views ... Closeup of the propeller ... From above.
Larger images:   Gardener whirligig ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of man ... Closeup of tail ... Man, one side ... Man, other side ... Two back views ... Two front views ... Closeup of the propeller ... From above.

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 is a miniature tramp art doll's cradle. It is simply done, with one end also carved into a heart shape. The color is a brown/purple lacquer prevalent around the turn of the century. Condition is very good, although it does have some tiny white dots which appear to be paint. It is 6 1/2" long, 3" wide, and 3 1/2" high. The price is $140.00. Inventory Code: PTPW. Image.

This is a folky 19th century wall pocket with a towel or tie bar. It is decorated with sponge painting over much of the brown, and highlighted with black, gold, and white paints. It has a great surface with nice patina and some slight bubbling and crazing. There is a smaller match holder above the main compartment. This piece is made from pine and is about 21" high by 11" wide and 4 1/4" deep. It is signed and dated on the back in faint pencil, which reads "Geo (?) Campbell, Feb 4 1889. There are many nice, hand worked details in the construction and decoration; and the condition is very good, with some natural wear to some of the edges. The origin is unknown, but it has the feel of being from New England. Overall, this is a very nice, decorative and functional antique. The price is $385.00. Inventory Code: TSTK. Painted wall pocket ... Closeup of top ... Closeup of middle ... Closeup of bottom ... Side view ... The other side ... Another overall view ... From above ... From below ... Back.
Larger images:   Painted wall pocket ... Closeup of top ... Closeup of middle ... Closeup of bottom ... Side view ... The other side ... Another overall view ... From above ... From below ... Back.

This is a bottle whimsey made with a village scene inside. It contains two houses, three people, a cart, palm trees, and much more. It came from the Philippines and is intricately constructed, completely filling the inside of a liquor bottle. The cap is wrapped with multicolored braid in a spiral pattern. It is mounted on a wood base. The overall size of the bottle is about 10 2/3" by 2 1/2" by 3 1/4" high. With the base it is 4 1/2" high. It was probably made in the 1960's or 70's as a tourist piece. The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: TCSP.   Tropical village in bottle whimsy ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... From above ... Back view ... Another view from back ... End view ... The other end ... Top view ... Two views from below.
Larger images:   Tropical village in bottle whimsy ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... From above ... Back view ... Another view from back ... End view ... The other end ... Top view ... Two views from below.

Here is a set of five carved people. They have a very strong look, are fully three-dimensional and painted in detail. They have applied ears, tacks for eyes, and hair, eyebrows, and moustaches (for the men) of tacked on cow's hide with the hair on it. Their shoes, the women's skirts, and the men's coattails are made from cut and shaped metal cans, and the caps are metal also. The women have cloth shawls with fur or cow's hide collars. The smallest man is wearing a heavy leather kilt. Their arms are heavy electrical wire with woven insulation. All have holes in the bottoms of their feet, as if they were once mounted on pegs. These came from Oregon, and were made in the late 1800's. They have been well-kept, and are in very good condition, with some of the eyebrows and one man's cap bill missing. They range in size from 10 1/4" high by 3 1/4" wide by 2 1/4" deep for the largest to 6" high by 2 1/4" wide by 1 1/2" deep for the smallest. The price for the set of five is $2500.00. Inventory Code: ATRC. Overall Image ... 2nd view ... 3rd view ... Faces - 1 ... Faces - 2 ... Faces - 3 ... Close-up of all.  Larger images: Overall Image ... 2nd view ... 3rd view ... Close-up of all.

This is a nicely carved whimsey combining hinged pliers with a caged ball in the handle. It is carved from one piece of pine, with an unfinished surface that has taken on a dark patina with age. It is 5" long. When the pliers are open, it is 1" wide by just over 1/2" deep. It is in very good condition, with two small chips. The price is $155.00. Inventory Code: TPAT.   Whimsey carving ... Pliers open, several angles ... Pliers closed.
Larger images:   Whimsey carving ... Pliers open, several angles ... Pliers closed.

A pen and ink ad for Selman Rabbits, by Virginia Love. She was a girl who lived in St.Louis, MO. in the 1940's. Most of her work was done in watercolor. Some was cutout paper collage, and some pen and ink sketches. Her work reflects her time (wartime rationing, period advertising), her surroundings (watercolor landscapes and still lifes), and her studies (Latin, geometry). You can see much more on her page. This drawing measures 9" by 12", in a frame 11 1/4" x 14 1/4". It is in excellent condition. The price is $160.00. Inventory Code: POSA. Image.

This is fairly large swivel frame with a rustic look plus carved and burned decoration. The frame is from about the 1930's and has a dark varnish finish. It is in very good condition. The base is 11 1/2" by 4", and the frame itself is 8 1/2" by 11", with an opening 6 1/2" by 9". The price is $145.00. Inventory Code: ACCA. Overall view ... Close-up.    Larger images: Overall view ... Close-up.

These four cast iron snowbirds have an unusual, tulip-shaped form and are pierced "S & S". The surface is unfinished, weathered almost to black. They are from Pennsylvania, made in the 1800's, in excellent condition. Each is about 12" long by 6 1/4" wide by 4 1/2" high. The price is $95.00 each, with a discount for two or more. Inventory Code: AWTR. Front view of one ... Another angle ... A third angle ... All four ... Back view ... From above ... Side view ... From below.

This is a carved wooden alligator that was probably made to be a handle for a walking stick. It has nice form, a very good surface, and lots of detail, with crosshatching and very fine incised lines. This carving came from Florida, where it was probably made as a souvenir item in the early 1900's. It is in excellent condition, and measures 5 1/4" long by 1" wide by 2" high. It is mounted on a contemporary base. The price is $275.00. Inventory Code: TSWW. Alligator cane handle ... The other side ... Third view ... Partly from front ... Fifth view ... From above ... With base ... Another view with base ... Back view ... From below.    Larger images:   Alligator cane handle ... The other side ... Third view ... Partly from front ... Fifth view ... From above ... With base ... Another view with base ... Back view ... From below.

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