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This is a unique and wonderfully folky whirligig, with good color, form, and action. It is relatively small, yet also very intricate; and has a balance and sensibility rarely found. The carved man has great character, detail, and presence. Unlike how a lot of African-American men are depicted, this person has a quiet dignity. The whirligig is hand crafted and constructed from found objects, old automobile parts, and individually made pieces. When wind turns the blade, the man turns the crank. The wood uprights are painted good old dark green which adds a nice touch of color. The body of the man is brown with white eyes and teeth. The eyes and nose are old very small round tacks. The mouth was carved. His hair is some sort of material, maybe even tree resin, that has gotten very hard. He has only one of his ears - which is made from a tack. On the front of his body are two smaller tacks for buttons and a hole above them, which probably contained a third at one time. His legs and arms are metal. The entire whirligig was later mounted on an old block of wood. The whirligig itself is about 19" long by 16" high from the wood base. It is about 13 1/2" to the top of the man's head. Including the base the entire piece is slightly under 20" high. Other than the particulars noted above, it really is in excellent old still working condition. This whirligig was likely made in the very early 20th century, around 1910 to 1920. The price is $1400.00. Inventory Code: TROW. 
See a slideshow of several views [712k] ... Whirligig with African-American figure ... Closeup of the man ... Front view ... Closeup from front ... Another overall view ... Closeup ... Blade end view ... Closeup of the blade ... From behind ... Closeup of the man ... Another closeup of the man ... Closeup from the side ... Back view ... Two closeups of the back ... Another closeup of the back ... Another overall view from behind ... From above ... Closeup from above ... Another closeup from above ... Closeup of the tail ... The other side of the tail ... Closeup of the base ... Another closeup of the base ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action (1.7Mb).
This is a carved, articulated, dancing man, or jigger. He is brightly painted, with a mustache and lots of personality, mounted above a masonite platform. The platform sits on a wood and masonite base that is weighted with metal inside to support him. The man himself measures 7" high by 2 1/2" wide. The overall size including the base is 18 3/4" long by 8 3/4" high by 2 5/8" wide. He is in very good condition with some minor paint loss. The tips of the toes were broken off at some time. One side of the base was painted more recently than the rest of the piece. He appears to have been made in the 1940s or 50s. The price is $285.00. Inventory Code: TWRR. See a slideshow of several views [336k] ... Carved, articulated dancing man ... Another view ... Three closeups ... Front view ... Side view ... The other side ... Closeups from side ... Back view ... From above ... Closeup from above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action (3.1Mb).
This is a very expressive pottery head of a man. It is very well done, extremely detailed, and has quite a lot of feeling. It has a glossy deep maroon glaze with bright blue highlights and lots of depth. It is even glazed inside. The head is in excellent condition, with no breaks, chips, or loss. There are two firing cracks on the bottom. It is about 9 1/2" high by 6" wide by 7 1/2" deep. The age is unknown. The price is $375.00. Inventory Code: TOTO. Pottery bust ... Another angle ... A third view ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... Closeup of the face ... Closeup of the hair ... Another closeup ... From above ... From below ... Another overall view ... 360º video (6Mb) ... With a soda can for scale.
Here are two amusing woodchopper whirligigs by the same maker. They were both found in a barn in New Hampshire. They are both about the same size. There are some small differences in the blades, thickness of the wood, and other elements. They were probably made around the same time, likely 1960's or 70's. They are now mounted on new bases and stands. Their paint is good and solid, and the colors are nice. Both work, and with the exception of a few little details, as noted below, are in extremely good condition. It is unusual to find a pair like this.
This first whirligig has thicker wood for the man's body and tree. It is 5/8" pine. The arms, legs, and blade are thinner pine, about 1/4" thick. The overall length is 16" and the width across the blades is about 14". Standing, the man is 9 1/2" tall. The tree is 3" high. On the base this piece is about 21" high. The front of the right foot is broken off and one of the blades has a tiny split with a little nail in it to keep it solid. The axe was fashioned from pine. The price is $225.00. Inventory Code: TRPA. Woodcutter whirligig ... The other side ... Axe raised ... Other side, axe raised ... Closeup of the man ... Closeup, other side ... From the front ... Closeup of the blade ... Another front view ... Back view ... From above ... With a soda can for scale.
Both whirligigs ... Both, axes lowered ... Another view of both.
The man and tree of the second whirligig are made from thinner pine, with plywood arms. The axe on this one was also cut and carved from pine, but is a little thinner. The paint on this piece has a bit of wear and has one or two small flakes present. This man stands 9 3/4" when upright, and the tree is 2 7/8" high. The pine blade is painted with horizontal stripes. The front of the woodcutter's cap is missing, and the front of his right foot was replaced some time ago. The length of this whirligig is about 15 1/2" while the blades are about 14" across. It is 20 1/2" high when the man stands up. The price is $225.00. Inventory Code: TRPT. Second woodcutter whirligig ... The other side ... Axe raised ... Closeup of the wood cutter ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup from front ... Front view ... Closeup of the blade ... Back view ... From above ... With a soda can for scale.
Both whirligigs ... Both, axes lowered ... Another view of both.
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.
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 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.
This is a very weathered, primitive carved head of a bearded man. It is painted red, white, blue, and brown. It was found in Shreveport, LA, and probably dates to the 1930's or 40's. He is a cheerful fellow, standing 20" high, 8 1/2" wide, and 6 1/2" deep. While wood and paint are weathered, he is strong and sturdy, in very good display condition. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: TCOW. Carved bearded man ... Closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... From below.
This is a painting by Robert E. Gilbert of a woman sitting in the woods by rocks and a stream. It is framed and under glass, so it is difficult to tell the paint, but it looks like acrylics, on artist's board. Gilbert, who is known more for his outer space and science fiction paintings and drawings, also seemed to have some strange attitudes toward women, which reflected in cheesecake paintings and "space bimbos" (for example, this painting). This is dated April 21, 1971. This image is 17 1/2" by 23 1/2", while the wood frame is 23 1/2" by 29 1/2" and about 3" deep. The price is $275. Inventory Code: REG 81. Painting by Robert E. Gilbert ... Closeup of hand and rocks ... Closeup of signature ... Back, with date.
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.
Here are two carved and jointed men by the same maker, painted red and black. One is painted with black hair and beard, red nose, cheeks, and ears. The other has red hair, nose, and cheeks. They were made with two small holes in each hand, possibly to be spinning acrobat toys. They are hung by loops of fine wire from wood and metal display bases, included. Each carving is 6 3/4" high by about 1 1/2" by 1 1/2"; with the bases they are 8" high by 2 1/2" by 2 1/2". One is missing part of his foot in an old break, otherwise they are both in very good condition with normal minor paint wear. They were probably made in the early 1900's, possibly earlier. The price for the pair is $390.00. Inventory Code: TTCK. Jointed carvings ... The other side ... Closeup of the heads ... Closeup of the feet ... Off the stands ... 3/4 view ... From above.
This is a selection of Amish drawings from OH, done in pastels. The artist, who was in her 30's when these were drawn, has been doing them since she was 12. She draws the images, and some of her family members fill them in, using colors she has selected. Their bishop allows the family to sell the drawings only if they are not signed and their names are not publicized. The drawings portray: an out-of-perspective home scene, and a series of two drawings depicting an Amish woman in a buggy being hit by a train: one just before the accident, and one just after, with the woman, horse, and buggy flying through the air. All are done in strong, rich colors, and have similar qualities of skewed perspective. They measure 30" by 40" and are contemporary pieces. They are priced at $450.00 each.
Family. Inventory Code: PTWC. Image.
Before the train wreck. Inventory Code: PTWO. Image ... Closeup.
After the train wreck. Inventory Code: PTWR. Image ... Closeup.
This is a very folky, out of perspective relief carving of a man, holding a guitar (or is it a gun?), sitting in a chair. The chair seems to float in midair. It is carved, base and all, from a single piece of pine, and painted. The free-standing shape may have been made as a bookend, or just so it would sit on a shelf. C. 1930's, it is 7 1/4" high by 3 1/2" wide by 2 1/2" deep. A small age split in the base does not detract, otherwise it is in very good condition. The price is $225.00. Inventory Code: ASSO. Folky relief carving ... Side views ... Closeup ... Closeup of the base ... Back ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
This is a metal worker's whimsey: a folk art smiling head made from brass found objects including pipe, plumbing fixtures, nuts, hooks, etc. The top of his "hat" screws off, and small things could be kept inside the entire pipe. The size is 10 3/4" high by 4" wide by 3 1/2" deep. It has a nice well patinated surface and is in excellent condition. The age is unknown, but is likely from the mid 1900's or earlier. The price is $150.00. Inventory Code: PRTP. Metalworker's whimsey head ... Two more views ... Side views ... Closeups ... Back view ... Another closeup of the head ... Closeup of the face ... Closeup of the base ... From above ... From above, top open ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
This pottery bathing beauty is fully three-dimensional, reclining on a triangular ashtray. She is natural colored clay decorated with reddish brown glaze. The 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. The hair and bathing suit are typical of the 1960's. The price is $90.00. Inventory Code: ATWP. Image ... Front view ... Back view ... From one side ... Bottom.
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.
This is a primitively carved man with jointed arms and legs, and feet that even swivel from side to side. He has the faint remains of blue paint for pants. The rest of the piece has an unfinished, oxidized surface. He is 7 1/2" high by 2" wide by 1 1/4" deep, from the early 1900's, and found in the Midwest. There is an old repair on one arm, otherwise it is in excellent condition. The price is $210.00. Inventory Code: AAPO. Image ... Another angle.
This is an oil painting on canvas of a giant soldier watching over Europe. It is unsigned, and was found in Iowa. From the 1940's, it is in the original frame and in very good condition. The size is 18 1/2" by 23 3/4"; the frame is 24 1/2" by 29 1/2". The price is $275.00. Inventory Code: AACP. Image ... Back view.
This is a primitive doll made from black cloth, stuffed with straw, with a painted face. The arms and legs are movable: they were made separately and attached with wire joints. The feet are oversized for the rest of the body. It is 8" tall by 4" by 1 3/4", from the 1920's - 30's. The condition is very good, with one small frayed spot on the head. The price is $110.00. Inventory Code: PPKK. Image ... Second view ... Back.
This is a very strange redware skull. It is shaped like a primitive fossil skull rather than a modern human one, and glazed white. It has been broken and reglued (no missing pieces), strengthening the impression that it is a fossil. It is fairly detailed, with heavy teeth and sockets where two teeth would be missing if it were a real skull. (They are not really missing, it was made this way.) It has no lower jaw. There is a signature on the bottom that is not quite legible; it looks like B. Volken. The size is 5 1/2" high by 5" wide by 7" deep. The price is $210.00. Inventory Code: PAHH. Image.
These are three handmade dolls with dried apple heads. Their bodies are made from wire, wood, and cloth, with hand made clothes, and decorated with beads, buttons, etc. There is a man standing; a man in a seated posture, wearing glasses and holding a piece of newspaper; and a woman sitting in a chair made from thin, curled strips of metal. One is labeled by the maker, from North Carolina. They were probably made around the 1970's. They range in size from 7" to 10" high and are in very good condition. The price is $75.00. Inventory Code: PCWW. Image.
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