Browse Folk Art - Page 5

"Uncle Billy" metal and wood whirligig	Very decorative marquetry box	Early 20th c. Crocodile root and burl carving	19th c. cast iron fire mark insurance plaque
Large cast iron grate	"CASE" whimsey carving: letters and frame from one piece	Tramp art shelf with drawers	John Henry railroad whirligig
Postage stamps and watercolor painting	Hand made horse's bog shoe, one of two	Shotgun wedding carving	Miniature twig swing
Church bird feeder	Carving of woman's head	1940's carving of woman playing guitar	4 Goose yard ornaments from Maine
Carved man on horse from MN	Two cast iron duck shooting gallery targets	Hand made No Parking sign with glass reflectors	Double sided sketch by Lewis Smith

Video of the action

Video of the action

This is a wonderfully made and very decorative marquetry box with three drawers. Constructed from softwoods and finished with a clear varnish, it is a striking piece. The surface has taken on an excellent rich patina and light crazing. The drawers are made from cheese boxes, one of which has some of the labeling printed inside. There are four glass pulls for the drawers as well as two on the sides for decorative purposes. The box was probably made in the early 20th century and is in extremely good condition with some very slight wear and the replacement of one small trim piece on the left of the large drawer. It is about 15" wide by 10" deep and 10" high. The price is $750.00. Inventory Code: CSPR.   See a slideshow of several views [985k] ... Inlaid box ... Another angle ... Side view ... Back view ... The other side ... Another overall view ... From above ... Another view from above ... Another overall view ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... With the drawers open ... Cheese box label inside a drawer ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Inlaid box ... Side view ... The other side ... Another overall view ... From above ... Another view from above ... Closeup.

This is a wonderful root carving of a crocodile. It has an open mouth, with very finely carved feet, teeth and tongue. The spiky, curving shape of the root forms the length of its body. It has a nice surface, finished with varnish or lacquer, and is mounted on a very twisted piece of burl. There is a printed label on the bottom that reads "Sebek of the Nile Carved by Ned R. Young first 18, later 16 Main Street, St. Johnsbury, Vermont between 1898 and 1917". The age certainly looks to be from that era. It is approximately 12" by 7" by 5" high. The condition is very good, with a small chip missing from each of the front feet, as seen in the closeups. The price is $795.00. Inventory Code: CWCK.   Crocodile root carving ... The other side ... Another angle ... Fourth view ... Side view ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup of head ... Head, other side ... Closeup of feet ... Another closeup ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Crocodile root carving ... The other side ... Another angle ... Fourth view ... Side view ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup of head ... Head, other side ... Closeup of feet ... Another closeup ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

Here is a cast iron Fire Mark from the 1800's. According to Wikipedia, Fire insurance marks were "placed on the front of the insured building as a guide to the insurance company's fire brigade." This one was issued in the third quarter of the 1800's by the United Firemen's Insurance Company of Philadelphia, PA. It has a steam fire engine and the letters "U" "F". It is painted black, an older repaint, with several older layers of paint visible on the back. It measures 9 1/4" high by 12" wide by 1 1/2" deep and is in excellent condition. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CTOR.   19th c. Fire mark ... From above and below ... Side views ... Back view ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   19th c. Fire mark ... From above and below ... Side views ... Back 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.

This is a carving of a woman playing guitar. She is very detailed, with a smooth surface, finished in a clear lacquer or varnish. The figure and base are all carved from one piece of wood. There is a metal weight in the bottom. It is signed on the base "John Theo Blumberg." "21" (?) "42". The size is 6 3/4" high by 3" wide by 1 3/4" deep, and the condition is excellent. The price is $225.00. Inventory Code: COPA.   Carving of a woman playing guitar ... Two more views ... Side views ... Back views ... From above and below ... Closeup of the signature ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Carving of a woman playing guitar ... Two more views ... Side views ... Back views ... From above and below ... Closeup of the signature ... With a soda can for scale.

Here are four Canada goose yard ornaments from Maine. They are plywood cutouts, painted on both sides, with metal stakes to drive into the ground. Two have articulated heads that swivel up or down. The birds themselves range from 11" to 16" in height, and from 25" to 31" long. With the stakes included they are 17" to 23" high. Some of the stakes are a little loose. They are in appropriately used, weathered condition with varying amounts of paint wear and minor loss. The photos should be clear on this, but if you have any questions contact us. They are priced at $80.00 each, with a discount for the group. Inventory Code: TPCP.   Goose yard ornament ... Other side ... With head moved ... Closeup ... Second goose, one side ... Second goose, other side ... Third goose, one side ... Third goose, other side ... Third goose, head moved ... Fourth goose, one side ... Fourth goose, other side ... Fourth goose, Closeup ... All four together.

This is a large cast iron grate with beautiful form and surface. It is from the late 1800's, and measures 6" high by 15" in diameter. There are three tabs on the bottom: two of them are chipped. Otherwise, the condition is excellent. The price is $295.00. Inventory Code: THPO.   Cast iron grate ... Side views ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Back view ... Another back view ... Closeup from back.

This is a hand made wooden "No Parking" sign with glass reflectors. It is painted an old black and silver over earlier orange. The reflectors are mounted in metal strips marked "AEROIL West New York, NJ". It stands 36" high. The sign is 10 1/2" high by 14" wide, and the base is 14" by 14". The paint and reflectors are from about the 1930's, the sign itself somewhat older. It is in very good condition with minor paint weathering. There is one small chip and a couple of cracks in the base. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CWHH.   No Parking sign ... Two more views ... Closeup ... Side and back views ... Closeup from side ... Closeup of reflectors ... Closeup of base ... From above ... From below ... With a yardstick and soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   No Parking sign ... Two more views ... Closeup ... Side and back views ... Closeup from side ... Closeup of reflectors ... Closeup of base ... From above ... From below ... With a yardstick and soda can for scale.

This is a two sided drawing by Ohio artist Lewis Smith (1907 - 1998). One side has a woman and a heart, the other side has several sketches including a woman holding a sign that says "See Alliance First". It is one of a series he did in ballpoint ink on 9" by 12" sketch paper. Like the others in this series, it is slightly yellowed and has a pinhole in one side. Lewis preferred to use recycled and imperfect materials in his art - it reflected the value he saw in everyday objects that others discarded. You can see much more of his work, see some of the other sketches in this series, or find out about his life. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: LS140.   Lewis Smith sketch ... The other side.

This is a very nice tramp art shelf with two drawers. It can sit or be hung. The piece is made from a combination of plywood and pine and has been stained in two different colors for a finish. This shelf has both chip carving, mostly along the edges, and "flatwork" which is a series of carved strips applied edge to edge. In addition to the two drawers, each side has a small triangular shelf. The top is cut out with geometrics and hearts as decoration. This shelf was likely made in the 1940's or '50's. It is 18 1/4" wide by 13 1/4" high by 6" deep to the front of the knobs. It is in excellent condition. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CTOP.   See a slideshow of several views [660k] ... Tramp art shelf with drawers ... Another angle ... A third view ... Side views ... Back view ... From above ... From below ... With drawers open ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Tramp art shelf with drawers ... Another angle ... A third view ... Side views ... Back view ... From above ... From below ... With drawers open ... With a soda can for scale.

This is a whirligig of John Henry working on the railroad. It was made by Ed Smith of Conover, NC. The carved, jointed figure goes up and down, hammering on the track as the blades turn. There is a plastic model box car on the track, and the blades are Conover license plates from 1978. The tail is a somewhat battered piece of sheet metal painted white on one side. The whirligig is 45" long by 27" across the blades. The man is 10 1/4" tall. As mounted on the wooden display base, it is about 28" high to the top of his head, or 33" to the top of the blade. It was made c. 1985, and is in very good, weathered condition. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CAKH.   See a slideshow of several views [1 Mb] ... John Henry whirligig ... With blades turned ... Closeup of the figure ... The other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Another closeup of the man ... Closeup, one side ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup from behind ... Closeup of blades ... Closeup of the boxcar ... Closeup of the tail ... Other side of the tail ... With a yardstick and soda can for scale ... Video of the action [5.7 Mb].
Some much larger photos:   John Henry whirligig ... With blades turned ... Closeup of the figure ... The other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Another closeup of the man ... Closeup, one side ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup from behind ... Closeup of blades ... Closeup of the boxcar ... Other side of the tail ... With a yardstick and soda can for scale ... Video of the action [5.7 Mb].

Here is a very nice little framed postage stamp and watercolor painting. The scene is of the ocean with a large rock made out of stamps, while the rest - shoreline, birds, people, sea, and sky are painted. It is signed F. M. M. and dated 1938. On the back is written, in French, details of where it was made, in Quebec, and apparently at an abbey or monastery. This was probably sold to make some money for it. The condition of the frame and painting are excellent. There is a tear in the backing paper. The frame is 6 1/2" wide by 4 1/2" high. The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: ATAP.   Postage stamp painting ... Back view ... Side view.
Some much larger photos:   Postage stamp painting ... Back view ... Side view.

Next are two bog shoes - used on horses for extra support while being used for logging in swampy and snowy conditions. These were found in Iowa, but likely came from either Minnesota or Wisconsin. They are cut from hardwood. One has the more often found metal attachments while the other has a rare leather "harness" to hold on the horse. They were made and used circa 1900, and are in very good, used condition with appropriate wear. The leather on the second one is fairly hard.

This first bog shoe is oval in shape and 8 1/2" by 11" in size. The chiseled areas for the horseshoe to fit into resemble eyes and a mouth, so the shoe looks like a face. The surface is unfinished. The price is $150.00. Inventory Code: CCAS.   See a slideshow of several views [418k] ... Hand made horse's bog shoe ... Another view, latch moved ... Side view ... End view ... Back view ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Hand made horse's bog shoe ... Another view, latch moved ... Side view ... End view ... Back view ... With a soda can for scale.

This bog shoe is older and has a rare assemblage of metal and leather straps for attaching to the horse's hoof. It has 8 sides and is 12" by 8 3/4". It is built with a second layer of wood on the front. The price is $150.00. Inventory Code: CCAA.   See a slideshow of several views [334k] ... Bog shoe with leather straps ... Side views ... Front view ... Back view ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Bog shoe with leather straps ... Side views ... Front view ... Back view ... With a soda can for scale.

This is a detailed and expressive carved shotgun wedding assemblage, probably from about the 1940's. Each person is individually carved with great character, and has features highlighted in pencil. They are labeled Him, Her, Maw, Pappy, Gramaw, Grampaw, and Marryin Sam the preacher. There is also Rover the dog and a moonshine jug next to Pappy. They are all mounted on an octagonal base of thin plywood. It is 6 1/2" high by 11 1/2" by 12 1/2". The condition is very good with the exception of a reglued crack in the shotgun. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CWRK.   Shotgun wedding carving ... The other side ... Another view ... Fourth view ... Closeup "Pappy" and "Marryin' Sam" ... "Him" and "Her" ... Third closeup ... Another closeup ... From above ... Another view from above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Shotgun wedding carving ... The other side ... Another view ... Fourth view ... Closeup "Pappy" and "Marryin' Sam" ... "Him" and "Her" ... Third closeup ... Another closeup ... From above ... Another view from above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

This is a detailed and wonderfully painted model swing made out of twig. The twigs are incised and painted, and it does swing. From the NC/TN mountains, it was probably made around the 1920's or 30's, and is in excellent condition. 17" high by 8 1/2" by 8 1/2". The price is $295.00. Inventory Code: APHP.   Side view ... Front view ... A third angle ... With a carved man (not included) sitting in the swing.

Here are two cast iron duck shooting gallery targets. They have dark oxidized surfaces with worn remnants of red and white paint. Each has been mounted on a wood display base. The ducks are 7 1/2" long by 5" high. Including the base they are 6" high by 6" by 4". They are in very good, used and shot condition, and show a little bit of bright metal on the base where they were removed from their original mounts. They are priced at $165.00 each, or both for $300.00. Inventory Code: CWPT.   Duck shooting gallery targets ... Closeup of one target ... The other target ... Back view ... Both targets, with a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Duck shooting gallery targets ... Closeup of one target ... The other target ... Back view ... Both targets, with a soda can for scale.

This is a wooden bird feeder hand made in the shape of a church, from what looks like old fruit boxes; and painted an old, somewhat patinated off-white. Some of the nice touches on this piece are a hand carved and incised roof and columns, chip carving on large dowels, and decoration around the edges. The front doors open to reveal a wooden pulpit. It measures 12" wide by 10" high by 9 3/4" deep. This was probably made in the 1950's to 70's, but was kept indoors and apparently used as a decorative piece rather than as a feeder. It is in excellent condition. The price is $195.00. Inventory Code: ATWO.   Bird feeder ... Another angle ... Another front view ... Open doors ... From above ... Another view from above ... One side ... Back view ... From below.
Some much larger photos:   Bird feeder ... Another angle ... From above ... From below.

This is a very striking and expressive carving of a woman's head. Her mouth is open and her eyes are carved separately, set in and covered with a brown wash over white. It is fairly large, at 9" high by 7 1/4" wide by 7" deep, and really gives a variety of impressions when viewed from different angles. The signature "C. Schlein" is incised twice. Age is unknown, but it appears to be from the mid-20th century or earlier. It is in very good condition with a few age splits as seen in the photos. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CCKW.   Carving of woman's head ... Another angle ... From above ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... Top ... From below ... Closeup of one signature ... Closeup of second signature ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Carving of woman's head ... Another angle ... From above ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... Top ... From below ... Closeup of one signature ... Closeup of second signature ... With a soda can for scale.

Here is a carving of a bearded man riding a horse. It is carved from several pieces of wood which were pieced together into a larger block before carving. The grass, his clothes, and the horse's hooves are painted. His hands and face, and the horse are the natural color of the wood, with a coat of clear varnish. The mane and tail of the horse have burned-in detail. There is felt glued to the bottom. The carving is 12 1/2" long by 9 1/2" high by 3 1/2" deep. It is in excellent condition, came from Minnesota, and was made in the second half of the 20th century. The price is $245.00. Inventory Code: TSSA.   Carving of man on horse ... Another view ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... Closeup from front ... A different angle ... From partly behind ... Front ... Back ... Another view from behind, showing piecing of wood ... From above ... Bottom.

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