Browse Folk Art - Page 4

Airplane whirligig	Art Deco Stand	Metal Spot Shot pinball game	Woodpecker whirligig
"Sleepy" Doll eyes and mechanism	7 1/2 foot high Crown of Thorns stand w/hearts	Great abstract wool quilt from OH	Carved, dated whimsey
Whimsy carving	Very large metal valve	Several hand made Chinese puppets	Folding metal decoy
Carved desk frame	Painted wall box from scrap wood	Hand forged maple leaf	Jointed carving
Painted wood magazine rack	Pottery polar bear		Match stick lamp
"Chicken whistle"	Painted wall pockets	Concrete cross bookends	Double game wheel

This is a folky, primitive airplane whirligig. It is made from wood, painted red, with weathering from outdoor use. The airplane is probably from the 1940's or 50's, but the plywood wing is a more recent replacement. It measures 27" long by 24" wide by about 7" high, with a 12" propeller. As mounted on the base, it is 21 1/4" high. The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: TARW.   Airplane whirligig ... Another angle ... Side view ... The other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup of front ... Closeup of tail ... Closeup of prop ... Another closeup ... From above ... With a soda can for scale.

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 an attractive Art Deco stand. It is decorated with grain painting, and incised lines with several shades of lacquer or varnish to simulate inlay. The finish has slight crazing. There is a small match holder at the top, above a shelf that is 7 1/2" wide by 4 1/4" deep. The overall height is 27 1/4", by 8 1/2" wide by 7 1/4" deep. It was built from pine, in the early 1900's. It is in very good condition, with minor wear from use. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: THKK.   Art deco stand ... Closeup of top ... Back and side views ... Closeup of the top, from side ... Closeup from above ... Another closeup from above ... Closeup of the base ... Base, from above ... Base, one side ... Base, other side ... Another closeup of the base ... Closeups of the shaft ... The top, from below ... Another view of the top from below ... Overall, from below ... Closeup of the bottom ... From above.

This is an unusual and decorative pinball game with good graphics, called "Spot Shot". A marble or metal ball bearing would be launched by the thumb lever and go around the drum landing in one of the holes. The game is probably from the 1940's or 50's and is in good condition with normal wear and scratching to the blue and white paint. It is almost 13" long by 2 5/8" wide. The round section is about 5" in diameter. The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: TOOS.   Metal "Spot Shot" game ... Another view ... From above ... Side view ... The other side ... End view ... The other end ... From below ... Another overall view ... With a soda can for scale.

This is the largest and most outstanding piece of crown of thorns construction we have ever seen. It has five frames, a shelf, and a drawer. The construction is entirely crown of thorns - the only fasteners used are in the drawer and one of the frames. The drawer is notched out to slide into the interlocking pieces. Five sets of carved hearts are worked into the upper part.

It is made from unfinished pine, and stands 7 1/2 feet (90") high by 50" wide by 13" deep; the shelf is 39 1/2" wide. It is quite sturdy and functional - there is no problem with setting even fairly heavy things on the shelf.

This piece was found in Louisville, KY, probably made in that area around the turn of the century, and is in excellent condition. The person who found it, sitting in an attic covered with soot, turned a garden hose on it, and in the process, washed off much of the gesso from the large frame in the center. The resulting mottled surface, (while it looks good in our opinion), is obviously not in its original condition. The only other flaw is a missing drawer pull. We will be carving a replacement to match. There is no damage or loss to the crown of thorns. This is a spectacular and beautiful piece of furniture. The price is $12,500.00. Inventory Code: PKOK.   Front view ... One side ... The other side ... Closeup of carved hearts ... Closeup of top ... Details ... Drawer open, showing notching ... Upper half ... Lower half ... Bottom inside ... With Matt, to show scale.

This is a great abstract quilt with very strong color and graphics. It is machine and hand pieced from wool suiting and lightweight wool fabric. One patch even has part of the suit pocket! It has a flannel back, and is hand tied with blue wool yarn. There is a light weight blanket inside instead of batting. This quilt was found in Ohio, and is in excellent, unused, near mint condition. There is one small spot and one small tear on the back, each less than 1/2". Neither shows through to the front. It measures about 69 1/2" by 69". The age is unknown: it appears to be 1930's or 40's, but could be considerably older. The price is $1150.00. Inventory Code: TRAC.   See a slideshow of several views [688k] ... Abstract quilt ... Closeup of the center ... Closeup, upper right ... Closeup, upper left ... Closeup, lower left ... Closeup, lower right ... Extreme closeup of detail ... Closeup of the pocket ... Back view ... Closeup of the back ... Another closeup of the back.

This is a carved whimsey with a ball-in-cage, 4 legs and a chain. It is well done, and somewhat unusual. It is initialed by the maker, JHB, and dated October 28, 1920. The entire piece was carved from softwood, likely pine. It is finished with what looks like a dark brown stain. This whimsy is 13" long by 1 1/4" square. It is in very good condition with some slight wear to the surface. The price is $145.00. Inventory Code: TRPH.   Whimsy carving with initials, date ... Another view ... Third angle ... Four views hanging from the chain ... Closeups of two sides ... Closeups of the other two sides ... From above ... With a soda can for scale.

This is a nice little carved wooden whimsey. It has a ball-in-cage and a freely-moving swivel captured in a second, rounded section. The whimsey is 4" long by 1" wide. The rectangular cage is 3/4" wide and deep. This was made in the 1930's, and is in excellent condition, with a natural, aged surface. The price is $110.00. Inventory Code: AOWO. With a pen, for scale ... Second view ... Third view ... Fourth view ... Fifth view ... Sixth view.

This is a massive industrial brass valve. It has a wonderful decorative and sculptural look and feel. This piece was likely made in the early 1900's. It has a great oxidized surface and color, and still retains some of the original paint, which may have been yellow but now is much darker. The valve handle is a dark rust. This piece was connected to a very large pipe. The opening of the threaded areas is over 2" in diameter. The valve itself stands about 9 1/2" high. It is 3 1/2" wide and deep. On the new base and support it is about 12" high by 6 1/2" wide by 6" deep. The handle and shaft still turns a little, but the valve does not open. Otherwise it is in very good, old, used condition. The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: THSR.   Large metal valve ... The other side ... Two more angles ... Two end views ... From above ... Two closeups ... Two more closeups ... Another view from above ... Another overall view ... With a soda can for scale.

This is a selection of 16 old and authentic hand carved and painted Chinese puppets and heads. These are stick puppets: the head, body and arms manipulated with sticks under the costumes from below. There are twelve complete with sticks, carved hands, and handmade costumes; plus four heads without the bodies. Some of the puppets have eyes that move; and some have natural hair. For those with moving eyes, there is a carved rectangular inset in the back of the head which, when pressed opens or closes the eyes.

The puppets range in size from 18" high for the smallest to about 21" for the largest. The heads are about 6 1/2" to 7" high. These puppets were actually used in street theater; unlike newer ones that are reproduced for current sale. They came from Northern China, and seem to range in age from about the 1930's to the 1950's or 60's. They are in very good, used, old condition, and are striking in their individuality. The price of the full puppets range from $175.00 to $325.00. The heads alone are $125.00 each. Inventory Code: AOAW is $325.00; Inventory Code: AOAO is $275.00. There is a discount for multiple purchases.   Image of all.

Large person with hair, approximately 17" high to bottom of costume, 21" high with sticks. Inventory Code: AOAW. The price is $325.00. Image ... Close-up.

Second person, 21" high without sticks. He has good detail, eyes that move. Only a small bit of his hair remains. Inventory Code: AOAO. The price is $275.00.   Image ... Back ... Closeup of his hand.

Two heads only: (AOCP is on the left and AOCS is on the right, $125.00 each).   Image ... Side view.

A nice metal duck decoy. This piece was made from galvanized metal, with an iron rod for support; and then painted a dark olive green with brown and orange details. One of the wings has an unusual slide that release the wing and allows them to pivot for storage. The decoy way probably made in a local "factory" or shop rather than one-of-a-kind. It is in excellent old condition with appropriate wear and patina from use. The duck is 17 1/2" long, 8" across the wings, and 10" high. With the rod and base it stands 43" high. The price is $150.00. Inventory Code: AOPA.   One side ... The other side ... With base ... Another view ... From below ... Partly folded.

This old, very good looking swivel frame has a carved diamond on the top. It came from TN, was made in the early 1900's; is in perfect condition; and is 11" high by 14 3/4" wide by 2 3/4" deep. It is finished in a dark, slightly crazed lacquer with nice even color. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: APTR. Image ... Closeup of top.
Because of the dark color of this frame, the details are hard to see on some monitors. The following photos, while lighter in color than the actual frame, show the details much better.   Image ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... 3/4 view ... Back

Here is a nice folky wall box made from scrap wood, decorated with large tacks that are painted green and cream with traces of red over them. The box itself may have been a cheese box or simply odds and ends of crate wood. It is simple yet elegant. This piece is painted in a red enamel. It is 7 1/2" high by 9 1/4" wide by 3 1/2" deep, was made about the 1940's, and is in excellent condition. The price is $140.00. Inventory Code: PROT.   Painted wall box ... Another angle ... Side views ... Back view ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

A hand-forged iron maple leaf with wonderful surface and detailing of the veins. From Western Canada, it was originally a fence decoration. The post has a nice hand worked attachment. It is 3 1/4" high by 2 1/2" wide by about 1/4" thick, with a dark, unpainted surface. From the 1800's in excellent condition. The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: PKAR. Image.

This amusing jointed man has a detailed, primitively carved face. Real hair has been glued to each cheek to form a really unruly beard. His arms are oversized to the rest of him, and are held out from the body with large, hand-carved wooden washers. The metal hardware also appears to be handmade. He is in very good condition with one old, very small chip missing from his hat brim. 5 1/4" high by 1 1/4" wide by 1" deep. The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: ASCS. Image

A wonderful cream colored, painted, hanging magazine rack. The form is absolutely super. It is from the early 1900's, with nice crazed paint. In excellent condition, it is 12" wide, 24" high, and 7" deep. The construction is well done both from the standpoint of workmanship and artistry. The price is $275.00. Inventory Code: PKAH.   Magazine rack ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... Back.

This primitive pottery polar bear has nice form and movement. It has a yellowish-cream glaze with some hints of green, and is in perfect condition. A hand written label on the bottom reads "Jonny UBS 1962-3". It is 6 1/2" long, 3" high, and about 3" wide. The price is $85.00. Inventory Code: POCC. Image.

This is a very elaborate matchstick table lamp. It is decorated with crosses in colored stone and glitter and a "fireplace" lined in red glitter with wire andirons. It also has a lift-off shade with a moon-shaped cutout in top, lined with foil to reflect the light out. The base is covered with naugahyde. The age is unknown, but it is probably about 20 to 30 years old. Including the shade it is 21 1/2" high by 13 1/4" wide by 7 1/2" deep. It is in very good condition with a few matchsticks missing around the edges of the shade. The light works. The price is $165.00. Inventory Code: AHSW.   Match stick lamp ... One side ... The other side ... Back ... With the shade removed.

This "Chickenwhistle" is one of those wild pieces we come across periodically which really make us smile. This contraption has a wooden box with hinged lid, mounted on a base. Above the box is an open basket made from scrap sheet metal, with a handle at the top. The whole thing is painted red and white, with a really nice old surface to the paints. The story is that this device was placed on a piano top with a live chicken in the round metal area on top. Grain was put in the lower box. When the chicken "whistled" along with the tune being played, the lid was opened to the grain box and the chicken got its treat. This piece is 14 1/2" wide, 8" deep, and about 21" high. It supposedly is of African-American origin and is in very good, used condition. It was made c. the 1930's. It makes a great plant stand, display, or just enjoy it for itself. The price is $285.00. Inventory Code: AWAR.   Overall image ... Other side ... Open feedbox lid ... Front ... Back ... View with a plant ... 2nd view with plant.

This is a pair of old wood wall pockets or sconces. They are made from pine and painted a dark red/orange which has aged with weather. They were likely used in a garden as plant holders. Because of being used outdoors age is difficult to determine. They could be as old as from the 1920's or 30's. These pieces were originally either part of a larger construction or attached to something like a fence, as there are nail holes and a matching unpainted area on the back of both. They are very attractive and functional and could be used either inside or out. Each is about 22" high, 12 1/2" wide, and 6" deep. The paint is solid, not flaking. The price for the pair is $175.00. Inventory Code: TTCT.   Painted wall pockets ... Side view ... The other side ... One, from above ... Back of one ... One, from below.

This pair of concrete bookends is painted black with raised crosses in gold. Each one is 7" high by 3 1/4" by 3 1/4". Probably 1920's/30's, they are in good condition, with a few nicks around the edges. The price is $85.00. Inventory Code: PRCS. Image.

This folky and unusual hand made double game wheel has colorful painted details. It stands 20" tall, on a base that is 14" by 18 1/4", which makes it small enough to be easily displayed and large enough to be an eye-catcher. One of the wheels is 9 1/2" in diameter, the other is 10". It was probably made in the 1920's or 30's, and is in very good condition. The price is $450.00. Inventory Code: AATT.   Double game wheel ... Closeup of upper half ... From above.

This is a really nice and folky old whirligig. It includes a tree and woodpecker, both cut from plywood. They are mounted to a piece of 1" thick pine. The wood propeller blades were also fashioned from pine. When the blades turn, the bird goes up and down. This assemblage is in very good, old, working condition. It was likely made about the 1940's or 50's and shows wear and some old repaint consistent with that. This older piece is mounted on a new base and stand. Overall, the height of the whirligig including the base is about 26 1/2" to the top of the tree. It is 21 1/2" long, the woodpecker is about 10 1/4" long and 5" high, and the blades are about 14 1/2" in diameter. The price is $295.00. Inventory Code: TWPK.   See a slideshow of several views [300k] ... Woodpecker whirligig ... The other side ... Closeup of the bird ... The bird, other side ... End view ... The other end ... Closeup of propeller ... Closeup of tree ... Closeup of the mechanism ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action (2.6Mb).

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