Folk Art from Found Objects

Painted tramp art box made from wood and cardboard	Robot made from found objects	Bottle cap rabbits jazz band	Match stick art horse
Bottle cap basket	Folky metal whirligig	Bottle cap pitcher	Metal found object farm chair
Part of a collection of robots made from found objects		Iron valve wheels	Folky metal trade sign with rooster, found objects
Home made scooter	Large yard art robot and animated birdhouse man	WWII Trench art model tank made from tin cans, found objects	Wooden horse weathervane
Page 2 of Folk Art from Found Objects     Page 3

This is a metal chair made from objects found around the farm. The seat is a large pitchfork, the back is a disk from a cultivator. There are three horseshoes worked in, along with chain and other machine or wagon parts. While it has rockers and does rock, the tendency is to sit still on the rear stops. It has very nice old black and yellow paint. The chair measures 29" high by 21" wide by 28" deep. It is in very good, useable condition with minor paint wear, from the 1930's or 40's. The price is $675.00. Inventory Code: TPHH.   Metal found object chair ... Front view ... One side ... The other side ... Closeup of back and seat ... Closeup of lower front ... Closeup, one side ... Closeup, other side ... Another overall view ... Back view ... From above.

Here is a collection of funky, folky robots made from a whimsical assortment of found objects. They are by Pennsylvania folk artist Kent Greenbaum, initialed and sometimes dated. These were made in the 21st c. from older parts. Each one is named and numbered, with its own personality. They are priced individually, with a discount for a group.

The first robot is labeled "R92 Host" and dated 6/03. It has a round wooden head crowned by toothpick spikes through a metal sink strainer helmet. Its chest is labeled "Comfortair". The right arm is moveable, the left is labeled "Westinghouse". The legs are screws, springs, and wooden beads, mounted on a wooden base. There is a whistle attached to its back. It stands 13" high by 5" wide by about 3" deep. Some of the toothpicks are replaced, otherwise the condition is excellent. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: CKCW.   Robot made from found objects ... Front view, with a soda can for scale ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... Another view from above ... From below.

This white robot is "R126 PAK". It has six arms made from coiled metal that can be moved and bent into almost any position. Two of the arms have large fishhooks dangling from the ends. Its head is made from an electrical fitting. The chest is decorated with costume jewelry and a metal insignia that reads "Ever Forward". The base is unpainted wood. It is 10 1/4" high by approximately 10" wide by about 5" deep, depending on how you position the arms. The condition is excellent. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: CKHC.   White robot with six arms, with a soda can for scale ... Another angle ... Third view ... Closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... From below.

This is "RN5 ZAP", with a red wood and gray metal body and a reflector on its head. The arms are coiled metal that can be moved and bent into almost any position. The chest has copper wiring, a small light bulb, and a metal insignia that reads "Let's Go". The base is unpainted wood. It is 8 3/4" high by about 7" wide by about 5" deep, depending on how you position the arms. The condition is excellent. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: CKHP.   Red and silver robot ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

This blue robot is "R21 Conducta". It has something of a fishing theme, with a cork head that swivels, moveable arms made from fishing lures, and a box with fish hooks. There is a metal insignia on its chest that reads "Conducta" with scales of justice and crossed spears. The base is a box of playing cards. It is 9" high by 4" wide by about 4" deep depending on where the arms are positioned. The condition is excellent. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: CKCR.   Blue robot, with a soda can for scale ... Another angle ... A third view ... Closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... From below.

This green robot is "R19 Capper". Its arms are bottle openers, one marked "Pabst Blue Ribbon", the other "Ortlieb's Premium Beer". The head is topped with a fishing reel crank. The chest has a red knob marked "Clear", a piece of costume jewelry, and a metal insignia with a plane inside stylized wings. The base is unpainted wood. It stands 10" high by 2 3/4" by 2 3/4", in excellent condition. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: CKHA.   Green robot ... Front view, with a soda can for scale ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... From below.

This red robot is "R39 Prop". It has a propeller on its back that spins, a sliding metal latch on front, and moveable arms. Electrical wire makes a halo around its head. The base is a box of cards. It is 8 1/2" high by 3 1/2" wide by about 3" deep, in excellent condition. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: CKCK.   Red robot ... Front view, with a soda can for scale ... Another angle ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... From below.

This black robot is "R15 Turbiac". Both arms are moveable and the brass head turns. There is an "AMVETS American Veterans of World War II" medallion on its chest. The base is made from four wooden blocks glued to a square of corrugated cardboard. The size is 10 1/2" high by 4" wide by about 5" deep. It is in excellent condition. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: CKHS.   Black robot, with a soda can for scale ... Another angle ... Third view ... Closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... From below.

This blue robot is "RN9 Coil". There is a heavy copper coil and a metal insignia marked "United States Army Communications Command" on its chest. The arms are moveable, and the legs are also coils. The base is unpainted wood. It is 9 1/2" high by 2 5/8" wide by about 5" deep, in excellent condition. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: CKHT.   Blue robot ... Front view, with a soda can for scale ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view.

This yellow robot is "R16 Spotter". The arms are drawing compasses with sharp points. There is a metal military insignia on its chest. It is mounted on a box of "Scorpio" playing cards. The height is 9 1/2" by 3 1/2" wide by 2 1/2" deep, in excellent condition. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: CKCO.   Yellow robot ... Front view, with a soda can for scale ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... From below.

Here is a group of seven old iron industrial valves. We have not seen them before other than in use. They probably are from the 1940's or earlier, and are in four sizes. The diameters are 7 1/2 inches, 8 inches, 9 inches, 14 inches. They range from 1 inch to 1 3/4 inches thick. Prices for them are $75.00 each for the smaller ones, $95.00 each for the 9" ones, and $110.00 for the largest. Price for the group is $575.00 Inventory Code: TCWK.   Iron valve wheels ... Another view, with a ruler for scale ... The other side of all ... Side view ... The largest valve ... Closeup of one medium and one smaller valve ... The smallest valve.

This is a pitcher made from bottle caps, with a large can lid for the bottom. It has very good form, and is painted a dark, oxidized gold. This is an older piece, made from cork-lined caps. You can just make out that one or two of the caps are from Coca-Cola. The pitcher is in very good condition with minor paint wear. It stands 7 1/4" high by 11" long by 7" wide. The price is $275.00. Inventory Code: TCHC.   Bottle cap pitcher ... Side view ... The other side ... From above ... Two front views ... Back view ... From below ... Closeup from above ... Closeup from below.

This is an unusual folk art wall piece. It has the image of a horse made from cut match sticks glued over plywood, with a rhinestone for an eye. The horse is surrounded by four rectangular frames and two round medallions. It is finished in crazed black paint and several shades of stain, with clear lacquer or varnish. The size is 12 1/2" high by 25 3/4" wide by 1/2" thick. Age is from the second half of the 20th century. The condition is very good, with minor loss on the corners and a couple of replaced match sticks. The price is $375.00. Inventory Code: COTH.   Match stick horse ... Closeup of horse ... Closeup, one corner ... Second corner ... Third corner ... Fourth corner ... Side view ... The other side ... From above and below ... Back view ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Match stick horse ... Closeup of horse ... Closeup, one corner ... Second corner ... Third corner ... Fourth corner ... Side view ... The other side ... From above and below ... Back view ... With a soda can for scale.

This is a folky butcher's trade sign. It is hand made from metal tools and found objects, with a sheet metal rooster on top. Ice tongs form part of the frame. It has worn silver paint with areas of surface rust. Red and black decoration was added on one side. From the first half of the 1900's, it measures 30" high by 22" wide by about 5" deep at the tong handles, in very good, weathered condition. The price is $1500.00. Inventory Code: CCRS.   Folky butcher's trade sign ... Closeup ... The other side ... Side views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Folky butcher's trade sign ... Closeup ... The other side ... Side views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale.

This is a very good looking, nice size bottle cap basket. It has good form, color, and age. The caps are cork lined, and the surface has a nicely oxidized old muted gold. The piece is 11 1/4" high by about 12" wide by 11" deep. It is in excellent condition and dates from about the 1930's or '40's. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CRWK.   Bottle cap basket ... Another angle ... Third view ... Fourth view ... Fifth view ... Side view ... The other side ... From above ... Another view from above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

This is a very folky metal whirligig made from found objects. It has several layers of really worn and weathered paint, mainly white and red with black and yellow highlights and a fair amount of bare metal showing through. It is mounted on a newer metal display base. It stands 25 3/4" high by 18" long. From the 20th century, it is in good, sturdy, very weathered condition. The action works. The price is $1200.00. Inventory Code: CWWH.   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action.
Some much larger photos:   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action.

This is a colorfully painted tramp art box with a drawer and hinged lid. The construction is unusual. The upper, hinged portion is built around a cardboard cigar box. This was surrounded with 1/2" thick boards at the sides and back to make it taller, a drawer added underneath, then the whole box was decorated with chip-carved wood layers, some in free-form shapes. It was painted in two shades of rose, blue, black, and brown, with each notch highlighted in dull gold. Metal tacks and handles complete the decoration. There is a label inside from a Pennsylvania cigar factory.

The box stands 8 3/4" tall by 11" wide by 6" deep. The condition is fairly good. There is some wear to the edges of the cardboard part, mainly visible in the top corners and the edge just above the drawer. See the photos for details. Also, the hinges have pulled away from the cardboard, so that the lid is only held on by the metal slider inside. It is from the mid-1900's. The price is $395.00. Inventory Code: CATS.   Painted tramp art box ... Front view ... Another angle ... From above ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... Lid open ... Open, from above ... With drawer removed ... The label inside ... Closeup of lid ... Another closeup ... Closeup of hinges ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Painted tramp art box ... Front view ... Another angle ... From above ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... Another closeup ... Closeup of hinges.

This folk art robot was made from found objects, including cans, spoons, a bucket, bottle caps, a funnel, and other objects. It is painted gold which has oxidized and taken on a rich dark surface over the years. The hands are made from large metal spoons or ladles, and the feet are from sardine cans. The robot has a bolt and heavy metal wire coming out of the head for hanging. It is in very good, typically used condition. While the age is unknown it certainly is not recent, and looks like it was probably made in the 1950's or 60's. It is about 38" high by 17" wide by 10" deep. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: TOSA.   Robot made from found objects ... Side views ... Back view ... Closeup of the head ... Closeup from the side ... Closeup of the body ... Closeup of the feet.
Some much larger photos:   Robot made from found objects ... Side views ... Back view ... Closeup of the head ... Closeup from the side ... Closeup of the body.

This is a wonderfully folky set of rabbit musicians made from bottle caps and found objects. There is a piano, drums, banjo, base, saxophone, and one rabbit who is singing and/or directing. The ears, tails, arms, and legs are bottle caps folded in half. Their whiskers are wire, the noses are tiny screws painted red at the tips. There are several larger plastic caps in the drum set, and the black keys on the piano are short lengths of heavy wire. Each figure is free standing, they can be rearranged on the wooden base. The individual rabbits range from about 5" to 6" tall. The wooden base is 11 1/2" wide by 9 1/4" deep, with the upper platform 4 3/4" high. The age appears to be c. 1970's. The condition is good. The platform the drummer sits on has lost some sequins, and a couple of the bottle cap feet appear to have been replaced. The price is $1750.00. Inventory Code: CCCP.   Bottle cap rabbits jazz band ... Another angle ... A third view ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... Another view from above ... The rabbits off of the base ... Closeup of 3 rabbits ... Closeup from back ... Closeup of the other three ... The other three from back ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Bottle cap rabbits jazz band ... Another angle ... A third view ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... Another view from above ... The rabbits off of the base ... Closeup of 3 rabbits ... Closeup from back ... Closeup of the other three ... The other three from back ... With a soda can for scale.

This is a folky home made wooden scooter. It was constructed from 2 x 4's with triangular supports made from 3/4" plywood. The wheels are from an early skate board mechanism or roller skates. This was probably made in the early 1960's. It is sturdy, rolls well, and certainly can be used. The scooter was painted white, and the paint has a fair amount of wear from riding. It is 22 3/4" long by 33" high by 12 1/8" wide. The price is $110.00. Inventory Code: TOCS.   Home made scooter ... Closeup of handles ... One side view ... The other side ... Front view ... Back view ... From above ... Another view from above ... Closeup of seat ... Lower front ... Lower back ... From below ... Closeup of front wheels ... Closeup of rear wheels ... With a soda can for scale.

These two large and funky yard art people have great character. One also doubles as a birdhouse. They have log torsos with hinged wood arms and legs, plywood feet, and faces highlighted with paint and found objects. They are both in excellent, weathered condition, and could be as old as the 1950's or 60's or might be a little bit more recent, but nicely weathered and not new. They were made in Minnesota. They are priced separately, with a discount for the pair.   Both yard art log people ... Front view ... The other side ... In the yard. Following are individual details and photos.

The first one has a robot face made from found objects, with a plywood cap topped by a red light bulb in a ceramic socket. His expression seems dismayed. He has a blue hat, brown feet, and blue and yellow paint on his face. He measures 46" high when stretched out. Seated, as he is in the photos, he is 37" high from his feet to the top of his light bulb. He is about 12" wide, and 11" deep (21" deep when seated). The price is $750.00. Inventory Code: TPST.   Man with light bulb hat ... Closeup ... Front view ... The other side ... Second closeup of face ... Closeup of face from front ... Closeup of upper body and head ... Closeup from side ... Closeup of body ... From above ... Another view from above ... With Matt, for scale.

The second person has a mechanism to make his tongue go in and out, and his eyes pop out and back. It works by turning the knob on the side of his face. His head is also a birdhouse, with a hole in the back. He has a painted plywood face, and blue hat and feet. He measures about 46" high overall, 39" high when seated. He is 13" wide, and 11" deep (22" deep seated). The price is $750.00. Inventory Code: TPSC.   Birdhouse man ... Closeup, tongue out, eyes in ... Closeup, tongue in, eyes out ... Front view ... The other side ... Another closeup ... Closeup of body ... Back ... Closeup of back ... Closeup from front ... Animation of action.

A very unusual "trench art" tank model attributed as P.O.W. work, made from tin cans and found objects. From W.W.II, it is an intricate, detailed replica with moving parts: the gun, treads, and pulleys. It is in very good condition, with an old oxidized surface, and measures 6" long, 3 3/4" wide and 4 1/2" high. The price is $200.00. Inventory Code: AHSP.   Trench art tank ... The other side ... Front ... From above ... From below.

A nice wooden horse weathervane in weathered gray and black paint on both sides. An old spark plug was added to the front of the arrow to make it balance. It is 44 1/2" long by 16" high. The horse is cut from 1/2" plywood; the arrow is solid wood 1 1/2" thick. There is a metal plate with a hole for the pivot underneath. From Indiana, c. 1940's, it is in very good condition with a few very minor chips. The price is $295.00. Inventory Code: ASHS.   Horse weathervane ... The other side ... Closeup of the horse ... Closeup of the horse, other side ... Closeup of the arrow and sparkplug ... Closeup of the arrow, other side ... From above ... From below.

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