Whimsey Carvings, Bottle Whimseys: Page 2

• 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.

• This is a very intricate bottle whimsey built with multiple fans supported on a frame with cross pieces. The fans are further decorated with tiny circles of wood which have been applied to the ends. There is also ribbon and braided thread which has been woven through the fans; and there is chip carving and cross-hatching on the wood frame. The bottle contains six fans of various sizes. They are in generally good condition, although some of the blades have been lost. The inside bottom of the bottle, under the carving, is lined with felt trimmed with braid. This piece is relatively sturdy and should ship well. There is some slight movement in the bottom large fan, but it is secure, and the other five are solid. This piece was probably made in the early part of the 1900's, or possibly earlier. The bottle is about 8" high, 3 1/8" wide, and 2 1/4" deep. The price is $375.00. Inventory Code: TWAH.   Fan carved bottle whimsey ... The other side ... Closeups ... Three more views ... From above and below ... With a soda can for scale.
  Larger images:   Fan carved bottle whimsey ... The other side ... Closeups ... Three more views ... From above and below ... With a soda can for scale.

• 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 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.
  Larger images:   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 a very large and impressive carved whimsey. It has two large links, each with a cage. One cage contains a freely moving smaller cage with a moving ball in it. The other large cage has a moving smaller cage with a moving donut shape inside. The whimsy is carved from a single piece of dark wood, probably pine. A small metal hook has been screwed into one end for mounting. It measures 15 1/2" long by 2 3/4" by 3". The condition is very good, and it was probably made in the early 1900's, or even earlier. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: THOS.   Large whimsey carving, four views ... Closeups, one end ... Two more closeups, same end ... Closeups, other end ... End views ... With a soda can for scale ... Another view.
  Larger images:   Large whimsey carving, four views ... Closeups, one end ... Two more closeups, same end ... Closeups, other end ... End views ... With a soda can for scale ... Another view.

• Here is the classic Pickle in a Bottle. Sealed in a very old bottle is this large pickle in amber colored liquid - probably pickling juice. The pickle is larger than the opening, and fills the square bottle, which is about 6" high by 2 1/4" on each side, and may be from the 1800's. It is in excellent condition. The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: TCSA.   Pickle in a bottle whimsey ... Two more views ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
  Larger images:   Pickle in a bottle whimsey ... Two more views ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

• 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.

• 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 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.
  Larger images:   Figural whimsey carving ... Several other views ... Side view ... The other side ... Back ... From above ... From below.

• 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.

• 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.
  Larger images:   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.

• This is a wood turner's whimsey - a detailed Fanta soda bottle turned from wood. The label, with the word "FANTA", is relief carved, and it even has the fluting around the edge of bottle cap carved in. The wood is dark and heavy, with an unfinished natural surface. The bottle stands 9 1/2" high by 2 1/4" in diameter. It is in very good condition with a small chip missing from the cap. The age is unknown, but it is not recent. The price is $95.00. Inventory Code: TASO.   Turned wood Fanta whimsey ... Three more views ... Closeups of the top ... More closeups ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
  Larger images:   Turned wood Fanta whimsey ... Three more views ... Closeups of the top ... More closeups ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

• This is a wonderful little painted whimsey made from a thread spool, with an arrow through it. The colors are great: red, yellow, light and dark green, gold, and silver. This piece is only 3 1/2 inches long and less than an inch in diameter. In that space, someone took the spool and carved a cage out, with a ring inside. Then, an arrow, with both ends larger than the opening, was carved and inserted through the cage. In addition, the arrow goes through two more rings, one on each end of the cage. The condition of this whimsey is excellent. It seems to be from about the 1930's or 40's. Inventory Code: TPSW. Ordered. (What this means.)
  Painted carved whimsey, several views ... More angles ... From front ... From back.    Larger images:   Painted carved whimsey, several views ... More angles ... From front ... From back.

• This is a memorial, carved whimsey chain, 5 feet, 9 1/2 inches long. Included with this piece, which was made after Hawaii and Alaska were states, is a letter by the maker in which he describes in detail the symbolism of the links and inscriptions. It was made as a remembrance to the four Raider battalions that made up the Fourth Marines in W.W.II. It includes a key on one end, and 55 links; three of which are unfinished. The piece is in excellent condition and is pine, with a clear varnish finish. Some of the letter reads: "To my Raiders Friends. I carved this chain for remembrance of buddys long ago. Their [sic] are fifty five links in all. 50 states Four Raider Bat's and Fourth Marines. Made up of what was left of the Four Raider Bats. I left the last five links solid as was 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th. The 51 link was half carved in memory code talkers." The price is $295.00. Inventory Code: TSWH. Carved whimsy ... Another view ... Closeup ... Second closeup.    Larger images:   Carved whimsy ... Another view ... Closeup ... Second closeup.

• Here is a carved whimsey with a man's head carved on top, a ball in cage, and chain links. The man is balding, and has a lot of personality. It is carved from a light colored wood, likely pine, and measures 10" long by 3/4" by 3/4". The condition is excellent, and it is old and oxidized. The price is $155.00. Inventory Code: TSOP. Figural whimsey carving ... Closeup of head ... Another overall view ... Second closeup ... Third closeup ... Fourth closeup ... A third overall view.    Larger images:   Figural whimsey carving ... Closeup of head ... Another overall view ... Second closeup ... Third closeup ... Fourth closeup ... A third overall view.
  

• 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 really nice lover's whimsey, made in an old clear glass bottle similar to a small soda bottle, but impressed with the words "Duraglo" and "contents 6 1/2 OZ." on the bottom. The bottle has a 2" diameter bottom, while it and the whimsey are 11 1/2" high. The whimsey itself is 7 1/2" high. It has a 1" wide paddle on the bottom which was put inside the bottle though a 1/2" diameter hole. The top has another flat area with an arrow through it. The arrow points are almost 7/8" across. It goes through a hole 1/2" in diameter. On one side of the arrow is written "S.C. 'n R.C.", on the other side is "Sherry", and "SC". The condition of the unfinished wood is very good. It was probably made around the 1950's. The price is $160.00. Inventory Code: AAHH. One side ... Other side ... Front view, showing paddle inside bottle ... Closeup of arrow with initials ... Closeup of arrow with name.    Larger images:   One side ... Other side ... Front view.

  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.

• Here is a special whimsey carving. It has five balls in 5 cages and a rounded, tapering handle. The workmanship is good, and it is made from well-oxidized pine. Probably made around the 1920's, it was found in North Carolina. There is no finish on the surface, but there is a nice patina on the handle. It is in excellent condition, and measures 14" long by 1" by 7/8". The price is $185.00. Inventory Code: ATCP.   Overall View ... Second Overall View ... End View ... Closeup ... Large Detailed Overall View.

• This carved whimsey chain is 16" long by 1 1/2" by 1 1/2". It is old, with an unfinished surface oxidized to a dark color. The condition is excellent. The price is $95.00. Inventory Code: AACC. Image ... Another Image ... Larger Image.

• This is a carver's whimsey with rosette ends and an elongated ball-in-cage. It is probably from the 1930's-40's, with an unfinished old surface. There is a very small chip in one rosette. Otherwise it is in excellent condition. It is 5 5/8" long, and 3/4" square. The price is $110.00. Inventory Code: APOW. Image.

• 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.

• This whimsey carving has a ball in cage and a freely moving ring on the shaft, all carved from one piece of wood. There is an incised design on one end, and a hollowed knob on the other end. The unfinished surface has a nice aged patina. It is 4 1/2" long by 3/4" in diameter, in excellent condition. The price is $95.00. Inventory Code: TPAR.   Whimsey carving ... Another view ... A third angle ... From one end ... The other end.    Larger images:   Whimsey carving ... Another view ... A third angle ... From one end ... The other end.

• This is an unusual bottle whimsey which contains a deck of cards with two bolts through it, and a pair of pliers which had to be reassembled inside the bottle. The bottom flap of the card box is folded under so that you can see all the cards are still in the box. The bottle is about 9" high and 2 3/4" in diameter. It is relatively recent, having been made in a Sobe bottle. Still, it is a very interesting and clever construction. It is in excellent, sturdy condition. The price is $145.00. Inventory Code: TTRS.   Cards and pliers bottle whimsey, front and back ... Two 3/4 views ... Two side views ... Another angle ... From above ... From below.
  Larger images:   Cards and pliers bottle whimsey, front and back ... Two 3/4 views ... Two side views ... Another angle ... From above ... From below.

• This is the tiniest ship bottle whimsey we have ever seen. It is constructed in a bottle which is just over an inch high (1 3/8" with the stopper) and 11/16" in diameter: about the size of a dime. The opening through which the base was constructed and painted, and the boat made and rigged is about 3/16". All of the photos are bigger than the real bottle. It is in sturdy condition. The price is $95.00. Inventory Code: TTOC.   Two views, one with a dime ... One side ... The other side ... Back ... From above ... From below.

• This is an older, very small whimsey made in a bottle. It contains a hand carved wood stopper from which hangs a linked pyramid form that can swing. The overall size of the bottle is only 2 3/4" by 1 1/4" by 3/4". The carved wood base adds 1/4". This piece seems to have been made about the 1940's or 50's. It is sturdy and well done. The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: TTRP.   Two views of the bottle whimsey ... Two side views ... On its side, to show whimsey moved inside ... From above ... From below.
  Larger images:   Two views of the bottle whimsey ... Two side views ... On its side, to show whimsey moved inside ... From above ... From below.

• This is a French bottle whimsey with two orchard workers picking apples. There is a tree with apples on it, and a basket of apples on the ground. It is built in a cut glass bottle that is filled with water. It stands 9 1/2" high by 3 7/8" in diameter, and is in excellent condition. The price is $195.00. Inventory Code: TTKC.   Bottle whimsey ... Side with labels ... Closeup ... Another overall view ... Side view ... Three more views ... Closeup of upper label ... From above.
  Larger images:   Bottle whimsey ... Side with labels ... Closeup ... Another overall view ... Side view ... Three more views ... Closeup of upper label ... From above.

Register to receive updates when we add new items. Your information is confidential. We never release it to others. Privacy policy. Required Fields Email Confirm your email address Your Name General Updates When we add any antiques or folk art to the site. This will include Whimseys. Only Whimseys: Carved and in Bottles       Get Other Individual Category Updates If there is any problem with registering, please

Home Page | Site Guide | Top of page | Inventory | Ordering | Contents | Search
What's New | Using the Site | Resources | Featured Sale | Contact Us