Whimsey Carvings, Bottle Whimseys - Page 3

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Tricycle in bottle whimsey	22" Whimsey carved towel holder	Root Formation in bottle	Train whimsey in bottle
Detailed whimsey carved church signed, dated	Bottle whimsey tools, baskets	Two whimsey carvings by the same maker	Set of signed, dated 1930's carved lover's whimsies
Tropical village in a bottle whimsy	Carved whimsy with 1904 Indian Head pennies	Whimsey carving	Three balls in a cage
Ball in cage with swivel	Pliers with ball in cage	Delicate ball in cage	Welder's whimsey box
Box, with whimseys and carvings by same maker	Ball in cage whimsey, painted stars, from set of carvings with box	Chain with fan, captive balls

This is a signed, dated, bottle whimsey with extremely fine workmanship. A ladder, rake, and two baskets were built inside an Old Taylor bourbon decanter. The rungs of the ladder are threaded through the head of the rake and the handles of the baskets so that they cannot come off. The larger basket is decorated with pyrography to look woven, and the inscription "R.do: Cordola 1971" is burned into one upright of the ladder. The bottle has a glass and cork stopper. It stands 11 1/2" high by 4 1/4" wide by 3 1/2" deep. The condition seems excellent, but we notice there may have been another rung at the top. The price is $185.00. Inventory Code: TTKW.   Ladder and tools in bottle ... Closeup of the baskets ... Side views ... Another side view ... Closeups of the ladder ... Closeups of the rake ... More closeups of the baskets ... From above ... Closeup from above, with stopper removed ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
Larger images:   Ladder and tools in bottle ... Closeup of the baskets ... Side views ... Another side view ... Closeups of the ladder ... Closeups of the rake ... More closeups of the baskets ... From above ... Closeup from above, with stopper removed ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

This is a bottle whimsey with an amazingly intricate root formation inside. The old square bottle has small bubbles in the glass, and the initials "LP Co" on the lid. The root formation inside is all one piece, except for a short (less than 1") broken fragment. The bottle is 7 3/4" high by 2 1/2" square. The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: TCST.   Root bottle whimsy ... Three more views ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
Larger images:   Root bottle whimsy ... Three more views ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

This small bottle whimsey has a brightly painted train inside a long, narrow bottle. The wooden train has four cars with applied wheels. The cars are connected to each other with metal links. Each car is glued in place to the bottle, so that the train does not move around. Two small carved and painted blocks make up a base. The bottle measures 7 1/4" long by 1 1/4" in diameter. It is 1 5/8" high sitting on the base. The condition is excellent. Age is unknown, but it appears to be 1950's or 60's. The price is $95.00. Inventory Code: TCSC.   Train whimsey in bottle ... The other side ... From above ... End view ... The other end ... From below ... Removed from base.
Larger images:   Train whimsey in bottle ... The other side ... From above ... End view ... The other end ... From below ... Removed from base.

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 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 carved whimsey that is very interesting in that it seems to have been a work in progress. The balls are still fixed, yet all the hard work was done, so they could have been released easily. The piece has nice form and a naturally aged and darkened surface. It was likely made in the 1940's or so, is 14" long by 1 1/4" square, and in excellent condition. The price is $110.00. Inventory Code: AKCT.   Image ... Second view ... Third view ... Fourth view ... Fifth view.    Larger images:   Image ... Second view ... Third view ... Fourth view ... Fifth view.

This delicate whimsey with a ball-in-cage has a long circular taper to the shaft. It was made in the early 1900's, has a medium brown stain, and is in excellent condition. It is 5" long by 5/8" square. The price is $90.00. Inventory Code: APOO. Image ... Larger image.

This is another nicely carved whimsey. It has a single large cage with three carved balls inside. It is carved from a dark colored wood, and is 7 3/4" long by 1 3/4" by 1 3/4". It has some age to it, and is in excellent condition. The price is $95.00. Inventory Code: ATTA.   Overall View ... Second Overall View ... Third View ... Large Detailed Overall View.

This is a nicely carved whimsy from a single piece of pine. It has a ball in cage, swivel, and chain link. One of the balls is freely moving within the cage. The other is part of the swivel mechanism: it is attached to the link above, and the cage rotates freely around it. This whimsy is in excellent condition, with a natural, oxidized surface. It is 9 3/4" long by 3/4" by 3/4". It is probably 50 years old or older. The price is $95.00. Inventory Code: TSWT. Whimsey carving ... Another view ... Third view ... Fourth view.    Larger images:   Whimsey carving ... Another view ... Third view ... Fourth view.

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.

This is a large and fun bottle whimsey of a tricycle contained in a one gallon bottle. It is in very good condition and sturdy for shipping. The bottle is 12" by 6" in diameter. The tricycle is glued in place so the bottle can be upright. The construction does not seem too old, maybe done within the last 20 years or so. It certainly is unusual. The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: TTRA.   Tricycle in bottle whimsey ... The other side ... Bottle upright ... Another angle ... From above ... From below ... Top of bottle ... Bottom of bottle.
Larger images:   Tricycle in bottle whimsey ... The other side ... Bottle upright ... Another angle ... From above ... From below ... Top of bottle ... Bottom of bottle.

This hand made metal box is a welder's whimsey. The box appears to be made from leftover sheet iron scraps. It has welded decoration on four sides, including a large stylized tree, two smaller pine trees, and the name "Travis". The bottom has welded initials that are less clear, possibly "KR 75". The silhouette of a prancing horse is attached standing up from the lid. There is worn black paint that looks like it was on the scraps before the box was put together; the horse and the welded decorations are unpainted. The bottom of the inside is lined with red felt. It is 13" long by 6 1/4" wide by 12" high. The price is $295.00. Inventory Code: TTHP.   Welder's whimsey ... Another view ... One end ... The other end ... Side view ... The other side ... From above ... From below ... Lid open ... Inside of box ... Underside of lid ... With a soda can for scale.
Larger images:   Welder's whimsey ... Another view ... One end ... The other end ... Side view ... The other side ... From above ... From below ... Lid open ... Inside of box ... Underside of lid ... With a soda can for scale.

Here is a collection of whimseys, carvings, and a hand made box, all by the same maker. They came from Florida, and show great variety. They appear to have been made around the 1940's or 50's. Some are completed and some are not. The carvings are all offered as a group, with or without the box. Details on each piece follow. The collection of carvings plus the box are priced at $215.00. Inventory Code: AARC-AARR. If you would like the carvings without the box, the price is $160.00, and the inventory code is AARR. The price for the box alone is $85.00, inventory code AARC. Containing all the carvings is this nice box with dovetailed joints and applied handles. The lid is hinged. It has a very light matte varnish finish, and is 12 3/4" long by 3 5/8" high by 6" deep, in excellent condition. Image ... Larger Image. Next is a whimsey chain with a ball in cage at the end, and a swivel in the middle. It is finished with a medium dark brown stain, with white stars painted around the ball. It is 8 1/2" long by 5/8" by 5/8", and is in excellent condition. Part of inventory code: AARR. Image. Here is a working pair of pliers carved from a single piece of wood. It is painted black, and is 5 3/4" long by 1 1/2" wide by 1/2" thick. It split at the joint and was reglued. Part of inventory code: AARR. Image. This is a chip-carved ornament with a different pattern on each side. It is 3" high by 1 1/2" by 1 3/4", with an unvarnished surface, carved from pine. It is solid, no moving parts. The condition is excellent. Part of inventory code: AARR. Image ... Another side. This anchor was probably meant to be the end of a whimsey carving. The cross-piece swivels on the vertical, but is cracked almost through. The carving is 3 1/4" long by 2 1/2" wide by 1/2"thick. Part of inventory code: AARR. Image. Here is another unfinished piece that was probably meant to be part of a larger whimsey. It is a diamond shape with a loop at the top and holes on each side. It is 3 1/2" high by 1 1/2" wide by 1/2" thick. Part of inventory code: AARR. Image. This is a series of incompletely carved numbers: 1, 2, 6, and 9. Each is separate, with a hanging loop at the top. They are each about 3 1/2" high by 1 1/2" wide by 1/8" thick, with an unfinished surface. Part of inventory code: AARR. Image. This finishes the collection of whimsies and carvings.

This intricate painted whimsey has a carved fan, two balls in a cage, several chain links and an arrowhead on the end. It is painted red, gold, and silver, with black and magenta yarn woven through the fan. The carving is a little on the primitive side. It measures 14" long by 4 1/4" wide by 1 1/4" deep. From the about 1930's, it is in excellent condition with minor paint loss. The price is $195.00. Inventory Code: AAHK. One view ... Another view    Larger images:   One view ... Another view.

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.    Larger images:   Image ... Closeup ... Another closeup.

Here is a very nice looking carved whimsey. It was likely made by the same person who did the one below. This whimsey has a small ball-in-cage on the bottom and a larger bullet shaped piece which is free to move in the upper cage. The cage has a nice flared form. The piece is topped with a carved 4 sided peak. This whimsey was made from pine and has an unfinished surface which has taken on a nice dark patina. It was probably made about the 1930's. It is 5 1/2" high by 1" square; and is in excellent old condition. The price is $175.00. Inventory Code: THWC.   Several views of the whimsey ... From above and below ... Both whimsies, with a soda can for scale.
Larger images:   Several views of the whimsey ... From above and below ... Both whimsies, with a soda can for scale.

This second very nice looking carved whimsey was likely made by the same person who did the one above. This whimsey has a small ball-in-cage on the top and a larger bullet shaped piece which was carved but never released in the lower cage. Under that is another tapered and carved shape. This whimsey was made from pine and has an unfinished surface which has taken on a nice dark patina. It was probably made about the 1930's. There is also a circular base made of walnut which likely was added later. The whimsey is 8 3/8" high including the base which is just under 3" in diameter. The whimsey portion is a little over 1" square; and is in excellent old condition. The price is $175.00. Inventory Code: THWH.   Several views of the whimsy ... From above and below ... Both whimsies, with a soda can for scale.
Larger images:   Several views of the whimsey ... From above and below ... Both whimsies, with a soda can for scale.

This is a collection of 12 lover's whimseys all made by the same person in the 1930's. They were carved by Marshall Garrett for his future wife Leona McMartrie. Many of them have written or carved names and dates. They are all mounted in a recently made wood shadow box, contained in a frame from the general time of the carvings. It is unusual to find so many pieces done by one person, and even more unusual that some are signed and almost all are dated. All have been mounted so they can easily be removed, turned, etc.

The whimseys include the following:
1. A small ball-in-cage, 1 5/8" long by less than 1/2" deep and wide. This has "Made by Garrett" and "Aug 15, 1934".
2. A block with a heart with arrow through it on one side and an M on the other. These are deeply relief carved. It also has "Garrett M." and "Aug. 25 '34" incised on two other sides. This is 1 5/8" by 1 1/2" by 1".
3. A small saddle. This is 1 1/4" long by 3/4" wide and 3/4" high. It has "GM 5-16-34" written inside.
4. A larger saddle. This one is a little over 1 5/8" long by 1 1/8" wide by 1" high. It has "Aug 23, 1934" incised inside.
5. Two sets of interlocking hearts. The smaller one is about 1" wide, with a thickness of a little less that 1/4". It can be extended to about 2 1/8" long. On it are written their names, one on each heart.
6. This larger interlocking heart is about 1 3/16" wide, with a thickness of about 3/8". It can be extended to about 2 1/2". It is dated, "Aug 11, 1934".
7. Two hearts with rectangular openings through which passes an arrow. The arrow head and tip are larger than the openings. The hearts are each about 1 1/4" long, 3/16" thick and 1" wide. On one is written "Garrett M" and "1933". The other has "Leona M".
8. A little carved hand gun. This is 1 1/2" long by 5/8" high and 1/4" thick. It has "Sept 34" and what looks like "G and M".
9. A sword or scimitar. This is about 3 1/2" long by 1" high and 5/16" thick. It has incised and perhaps burned in, "AUG. 24-35".
10. A ball-in-cage with two pyramid ends. This is about 2: long by 5/8" wide and deep. On it is written "Made Aug 15, 1934".
11. Another ball-in-cage. This has one pyramid end and a loop on top. It is about 2 1/2" long by 5/8" wide and deep. This has some red paint or ink on it and also "1934".
12. A comparatively larger block with rounded ends, and carved on both sides. This is 4 1/2" long by 1 3/8" high by 1/2" thick. On one side is relief carved a wing with interlocking hearts and a arrow through them in the center. These are flanked by the initials L.M. and G.M. The other side is carved with Leona McM. On one edge is written "August - 1934".

All the pieces are in excellent condition (other than the red on one). All but the largest are carved from softwood - likely bass and pine. The largest is oak. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: THCO.   Carved lover's whimsies collection ... Closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... The whimsies, out of the shadow box ... Back view ... Back, from the side ... With a soda can for scale.
Closeups of the individual pieces:   Hearts on an arrow ... Block with names ... Block with heart ... Interlocking hearts ... Balls in cages ... Saddles ... The sword and pistol.
Larger images:   Carved lover's whimsies collection ... Closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... The whimsies, out of the shadow box ... Back view ... Back, from the side ... With a soda can for scale.
Closeups of the individual pieces:   Hearts on an arrow ... Block with names ... Block with heart ... Interlocking hearts ... Balls in cages ... Saddles ... The sword and pistol.

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