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This is a whimsey carving in three sections, from a single piece of wood. The lowest section contains a caged bell that hangs from a metal loop. Above that is a caged ball, with a spiral carved shape at the top. All three are free to move within their cages. The size is 13 3/4" high by 2 1/2" square. The carving has a natural, unfinished surface that has darkened with age. There is a partly legible date from 1944 written in pencil on one side. On the bottom, also in pencil, is the inscription "W H. Coker, Cheswold, DEL, RFD". It is in excellent condition. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: CSPS. 
See a slideshow of several views [374k] ... Carved whimsey ... Another view ... Closeup of the bell, date ... Closeup of the top ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
This bottle whimsey has a rack of carved tools inside. The rack fills the bottle very snugly, leaving no room to wiggle. Mounted on the rack are a carved axe, crosscut saw, hand saw, and gun. Two spears are mounted vertically from the base, behind the tools. The bottle is marked "375 ML" on the back, and has a plastic cap. This whimsey is from the second half of the 20th century, and is in excellent condition. It is 8" high by 3 1/2" wide by 1 3/4" deep. The price is $210.00. Inventory Code: CSTK. See a slideshow of several views [382k] ... Bottle whimsey with tools ... Two more views ... Side views ... Back view ... From above and below ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos: Bottle whimsey with tools ... Side views ... Back view
This is an unusual carved cedar whimsey of a man and woman joined with a link between their heads. The people are mortised in to a carved hard pine base which has carved initials A C (??) on the bottom. The people are lightly varnished, and the base has a natural surface, except on the bottom, which is painted blue. Including the base, the carving is over 9" tall, 3 1/2" wide and 2 1/2" deep. The people are each about 1" in diameter. This piece was probably made about the 1960's and is in excellent condition. The price is $185.00. Inventory Code: THOT. See a slideshow of several views [302k] ... Whimsey carved man and woman ... Two more views ... Side and back views ... Closeups of heads ... Closeup of middle ... Closeup of base ... From above ... From below.
This is an elegant carved whimsy with very fine detail, some chip carving, and a wonderful dark, alligatored surface. The ball in cage with its intricate crest was carved from a single piece of wood. It was then mounted on the base with carved steps, and the two balls on spiral pedestals added separately. The condition is excellent, with no visible loss or wear. It is 10 1/2" high by 7 1/4" by 5". The finish is a dark lacquer that has taken on a beautiful patina. It was made in the late 1800's to early 1900's. The price is $825.00. Inventory Code: CSTH. See a slideshow of several views [690k] ... Intricately carved whimsey ... Another angle ... Closeup of the top ... Closeup of the bottom ... Side views ... Back view ... A different angle ... Closer view of the top, showing surface ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos: Intricately carved whimsey ... Another angle ... Closeup of the top ... Closeup of the bottom ... Side views ... Back view ... A different angle ... Closer view of the top, showing surface ... With a soda can for scale.
Here is an extraordinary collection, assemblage, and display of eight bottle whimseys. Each of the one pint whisky bottles contains a large hand made wooden frame containing a sports trading card. All of the bottles are set on a raised shelf in a hand made, semi-circular, lighted, metal display - like a hall of fame. There is a light in front of each bottle whimsey. The base is covered in red and green felt, trimmed with black braid and brass knobs. This assemblage is 26" across, 13 1/2" deep, and 13" high. The cards include Arnold Palmer, George Foreman, Wayne Gretzky, Wilma Rudolph, Jesse Owen, Joe Montana, Pete Rose, and Michael Jordan. It is signed by the maker, Richard Kopp, on the bottom, is in excellent condition, and was constructed in 1994. The price is $1600.00. Inventory Code: AORH. See a slideshow of several views [429k] ...Image ... Closeup ... From above ... Lit up, in a dark room ... Bottom.
Following are photos of the individual bottles. Wilma Rudolph ... Rudolph - Back ... George Foreman ... Foreman - Back ... Wayne Gretzky ... Gretzky - Back ... Michael Jordan ... Jordan - Back ... Joe Montana ... Montana - Back ... Jesse Owens ... Owens - Back ... Arnold Palmer ... Palmer - Back ... Pete Rose ... Rose - Back.
This an extraordinary, one of a kind, folk art piece. It is a very large, extremely detailed marquetry whimsey with a fraternal theme; including many carved and inlaid elements. This has so much intricate work that more things continue be seen and be appreciated even after several viewings. We have included many pictures that will convey some of the quality of this piece; however, it will still surprise and delight even more, when held in person.
Following is just a brief description of some of what is in this piece. To be complete would take more than reasonable here. Please let your eyes tell more of the story. This work is over 49" long, 5 1/2" wide, and over 1 1/4" deep in parts. It is decorated on the sides as well as the front. It includes Crosses, Ankhs, stars, hearts, Bibles, scrolls, spears, and other Masonic, Shriner, Eastern Star, and Odd Fellows symbols. Each section is held together with carved links; and the entire carving is made from one piece of wood. There is one carved ball in cage, relief carving, and a section inlaid with bone or ivory. There are inlaid words, and letters; and it is decorated with a multitude of symbology. This piece is in extremely good condition; although not completely "perfect". There is a slight crack in one link, and one has been reglued in part. There is also a little bit of red color which is on the lowest section. There is no loss that we can see. One section has hand painted the words "Memorial Day 1947". We would date it from that time. The back is inscribed "To Vernon Thompson for Mike". This piece is the mate to the fraternal memorial by the same maker which is also now available. The price is $1250.00. Inventory Code: TSOH. Inlaid fraternal whimsey ... Closeup of top section ... Another view ... Side view.
Second section: Front view ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... One side ... The other side.
Third section: Front view ... One side ... The other side.
Fourth section: Front view ... One side ... Another view ... The other side.
Bottom section: Front view ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... One side ... The other side.
The back: Upper back ... Middle back ... Lower back ... Closeup of inscription.
Here is a chair in a bottle whimsy. The ladderback chair fits very snugly in the bottle. It is made of cedar, with a tightly woven seat of red and white yarn. The bottle has a carved lock stopper, also of cedar. Four small stickers on the outside of the bottle read "Cudjo's Cave Tenn. - Ky. - Va." This was a tourist cave and souvenir shop. The shop is long gone, and the cave is now called Gap Cave, and is part of the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. You can see a 1960's-era photo of the souvenir shop here. The age of this whimsy appears to be from the 1950's or 60's. Three of the stickers are partly missing, otherwise the condition is excellent. The bottle with its stopper measures 12 3/4" high by 3" in diameter. The price is $275.00. Inventory Code: CSTR. See a slideshow of several views [568k] ... Chair in a bottle whimsy, with a soda can for scale ... Closeup ... Two more views ... Side and back views ... Closeup from side ... Closeup from front ... Extreme closeup of a sticker ... Two views from above ... Closeup of stopper ... From below.
Some much larger photos: Chair in a bottle whimsy, with a soda can for scale ... Two more views ... Side and back views ... Closeup from side ... Two views from above.
Here are three carved whimsey chains by the same maker. They are each carved from a branch (possibly red birch) with the bark left on. The largest is initialed "I.Z." in burned letters, and dated 1935. It is 9" long by 3/4" by 3/4" and has unusual "X" shaped links. The middle one is 6 3/4" long by 3/4" by 3/4". The smallest is very delicately carved. It is 3 3/4" long by 3/8" by 3/8". All three are in excellent condition. They are priced at $225.00 for the group. Inventory Code: TSHR. Three whimsey carvings ... Another view ... Third view ... Fourth view.
This is a very unusual carved whimsey spelling out the word "CASE". We don't have any history on it, but it seems likely that whoever made it had some relationship to a company with that name. The whimsey was all cut from a single board about 1 1/4" thick, probably using a coping saw. Each letter has a double loop on top which is hand carved. The letters hang from the frame by these. The frame, just over an inch wide, also has keystone shapes carved in the center top and bottom as well as subtle decorative carving in the corners. This piece was probably made between the 1950's and 1970's. It has an unfinished surface and heavy paper, painted black, as a backing. It also has a metal hanger on the back. The whimsey appears to be excellent, old condition, however when we got it some of the letters' hanging loops were broken. These have been reglued and all that is now visible is a fine line showing above the letter "S"; although there were more breaks. There is also a hole in the paper, that is covered by the letters. The overall size is 20 7/8" by 10 5/8". The price is $275.00. Inventory Code: TOST. See a slideshow of several views [354k] ... "Case" whimsey carving ... Another view ... Closeup, left ... Closeup, right ... Left, from above ... Right, from above ... Left, with letter moved ... Overall, from above ... Back view ... With a soda can for scale.
Here is a very interesting and unusual carved whimsy. The cage is a cube with rounded corners and circular openings on all sides. Inside is a stylized 6 pointed star, like a jack, which is free to move inside the cage. There is a square center from which radiate out long cone shaped rays. This piece is fairly old, probably from the late 1800's or turn of the century. The cage is about 2 1/4" across the sides, while the star is actually a little bit larger as the tips protrude from the cage. The lines visible in some of the photos are not cracks: they were put there by the maker, probably to line up his work as he carved. The condition is good, with a little bit of wear, some very slight loss to the wood, and some tiny holes that apparently were from nails and seem original to the piece. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: TRPR. Carved whimsy ... Another view ... Two more images ... Different views ... More angles ... Two more views ... With a soda can for scale ... Video in motion [4 Mb].
This is an unusual carved whimsey, with 3 balls-in-cages and sections carved with a twisted wood effect. It also is the first whimsey we have seen using a technique from wood turning: piecing many strips of different woods together before working it. In this way, there is a multi-toned effect from the various woods. The whimsey is in excellent condition, with a natural aged surface. It is 19 1/2" long by 1 1/2" square. It seems around 50 or so years old. The price is $195.00. Inventory Code: AKCA. Overall View ... Second Overall View ... 3/4 end view ... Close-up of cage ... 3/4 view.
This is a complex bottle whimsey which contains a large detailed ship in a port with several buildings and cranes. The bottle is about 12" long by 3 1/2" in diameter and is almost filled with this assemblage. It is on a base with the name "Bremerhafen." The ship has a German flag and the bottle is marked in German. This piece likely was made in the last 50 years, but is not new. It is in excellent sturdy condition. The price is $350.00. Inventory Code: TTKH. Ship in bottle whimsey ... Closeup of bow ... Closeup of middle ... Closeup of stern ... From above ... Back ... Another view from behind ... End view ... The other end ... From below.
This amusing and interesting bottle whimsey has a barrel built inside and a lock stopper with a folky carved head. The top and bottom of the barrel were assembled from strips inside the bottle. Then, 17 individually carved staves were attached, and fastened with string hoops. "Apple Cider" is burned into the top, and "H. Campbell, 1989, Norwich Conn." into the bottom of the barrel. The top of the stopper is carved with a bald head with large ears and nose, and painted eyes, eyebrows, and mouth. It stands 14 1/2" tall by 4 1/2" in diameter and is in excellent condition. The price is $225.00. Inventory Code: TTKO. Barrel in a bottle whimsy ... Several more views ... Closeups of the stopper ... The sides and back ... From above ... Closeup of the barrel ... From below, with signature ... Top.
This is an extremely intricate, well done, and folky bottle whimsy. It is a scene of two men playing checkers. Each of the people was carved in detail down to the smallest features. Included in the construction are the chairs they are sitting on, the checkerboard which has individually inlaid squares of different colors, and individual checkers. This sits on top of a barrel. There are two stools, each with bottles and glasses. The entire scene is placed on a wood floor, which has been scored and colored, and is in front of a full back wall on which have been applied various designs enclosed in a wooden frame. The construction just about fills the main part of the bottle, which is about 11 1/4" long, including the carved stopper, by 3 1/2" in diameter. The bottle sits on a handmade base, so it is about 4 1/2" high in total. It is signed by the maker on the bottom with "Puky" and his place of residence in Cuba. This piece is in excellent condition and was made in the last few years. The price is $1200.00. Inventory Code: CSRA. See a slideshow of several views [826k] ... Bottle whimsey of men playing checkers ... Closeup ... Second closeup ... Third closeup ... Fourth closeup ... Another overall view ... From above ... One end, from above ... End view ... Two back views ... From below ... Closeup of signature ... Another closeup from below ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos: Bottle whimsey of men playing checkers ... Closeup ... Second closeup ... Third closeup ... From above ... One end, from above ... Two back views.
This is an absolutely wonderful, intricate bottle whimsey. Inside are four men playing dominoes, two musicians, and a man turning a pig on a spit over a fire. This bottle is one of a small group made in the early 2000's by Ramon Arbelo Gonzalez of Cuba. The construction is very intricate - each domino is individually carved and painted, as are the flames of the fire. The guitar is carved, with applied bridge and individual strings. Very few of his bottles include painted details. The bottle is embossed "Havana Club" and has a wooden base attached. Including the stopper and base, it is 13 1/2" long by 4" high by 3 1/4" in diameter, in excellent condition. The price is $1200.00. Inventory Code: CSRT. See a slideshow of several views [792k] ... Bottle whimsey with musicians, domino players, pig roast ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... Closeup from above ... Top view ... Closeup from top ... Back view ... Closeup from back ... Another closeup from back ... End view ... The other end ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos: Bottle whimsey with musicians, domino players, pig roast ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... Closeup from top ... Closeup from back ... Another closeup from back ... From below.
This is an extraordinary bottle whimsey of a house by Ramon Arbelo Gonzalez. The main portion of the house is a single story, with the addition of 2 two-story sections, connected by a bridge. The entire piece is done in great detail. The house rests on an open courtyard enclosed by a fence. Thread is strung through the fence posts as rails. There is an external staircase, shrubbery, and windows all around the four sides of the main house. All of the light and dark checkerboard wood which makes up the floor is actually inlaid in separate small pieces. The different colors of the squares are different kinds of wood. This is also true of the other shades of wood throughout this piece. On the bottom is inscribed information about the maker. It reads "Puky Omaja" and the town name he lived in in Cuba. The bottle is mounted on the base and is 13 3/4" long by 3" in diameter. With the base it is about 4" high. This piece was made in the early 2000's. While it is not that old, it certainly is exceptional. The entire structure is in excellent condition and can be shipped. The price is $850.00. Inventory Code: CSRC. See a slideshow of several views [1.1 Mb] ... Exceptional house in a bottle whimsy ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... Another angle ... Closer view ... A different angle ... Closer view ... Back view ... Closeup of back ... From above ... Another view from above ... End view ... From below ... Closeup of signature ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos: Closeup ... Another angle ... A different angle ... Closer view ... Back view ... Closeup of back ... From above ... Another view from above ... From below.
This is a very detailed bottle whimsy containing the Cuban coat of arms on an intricately pieced pedestal stand. It is carved and inlaid using many different colored woods, built inside a Havana Club bottle. A turned wooden stopper is glued into the top. The workmanship is wonderful. Including the stopper, it is 13 3/4" high by 3 1/4" in diameter, in excellent condition. This is one of a small group of bottle whimsies we have that were made in Cuba in the early 2000's by Ramon Arbelo Gonzalez. He is a former musician who has never left Cuba. He taught himself to make bottle whimsies after seeing one at an exhibition, and makes his own tools for working on them. This bottle is not signed, but others are signed "Puky". The price is $800.00. Inventory Code: CSRW. See a slideshow of several views [551k] ... Bottle whimsy with Cuban coat of arms ... Closeup ... The other side ... Closeup of other side ... Four more angles ... Closeup from above ... Top of bottle ... From below ... Bottom of bottle ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos: Bottle whimsy with Cuban coat of arms ... Closeup ... The other side ... Closeup of other side ... Four more angles ... Closeup from above
This is a whimsey carved towel holder. It has a ball and cage at each end, and three freely turning rings. Between the rings are carved the words "The Old Towl Roller, Carved in 1934, Made in 1869". It is carved from a hardwood, possibly walnut, with a varnish finish. The size is 22" long by 1 1/2" in diameter, and is in excellent condition. The price is $185.00. Inventory Code: ATPT. Image ... Closeup ... Another closeup.
This is a copy of the book Hobo & Tramp Art Carving by Adolph Vandertie and Patrick Spielman. It was published by Sterling Publishing Co. in 1995 and is now out of print. The book has some wonderful photos of tramp art and whimseys. It also includes step-by-step instructions for many of these carving techniques. You can see some of them and read excerpts from the book here.
This copy is in extremely good condition and seems almost unused. There are a few almost unnoticeable blemishes around the edges of the cover. It is 10" by 8" by 3/8". It is a nice reference book whether you want to learn to carve tramp art and whimseys or just enjoy the photographs. The price of $40.00 includes Priority Mail shipping. Inventory Code: CPAT. Front cover ... Back cover.
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