All Art - Folk Art

rare root carved baseball player artist signed 4inch X 6inch X 3inch ht root carving, circa 1900, signed in base Lodge, Safe at Second, purchesed in suburban Phila 4o years ago. no info on carver. Fabulous Rare folk art. as found cond, small loss to 1 hand
Condition: Used
Manufacturer: lodge  

Tapping the Sugar Maples in Winter Snow, painting unsigned exciting folk art rendition of a farmer with sled in Winter snow with barrels of Sugar Maple sap being gathered to return to one of the several farms shown to sugar off.
Done in a style that unites the color strength of Van Gogh with the naive simplicity of Grandma Moses.
18inch X 27 1/2inch framed and 13 1/2inch X 23inch sight, painted on artist board, unsigned with minor paint flaking/losses [shown in image]

Outsider art at it's best!
Condition: Used
Manufacturer: none  

Occupational shaving mug Indian Chief w/pipe/headdress finely painted Indian Chief in full feathered headdress smoking peace pipe with Red Warrior Tribe #109 and owners' name in gold lettering, Tom Hurley. Fine condition except loss of gilding on edges. signed on base, J & C Bavaria,
made circa 1910
Condition: good
Size: 4inch ht X 3 3/4inch dia
 

redware dog face w/holes to mount on ? unsigned with great patina, some chips, super rare form, found in PA, may be related to Bell Pottery from VA, unrecorded form
Circa: 1880
Condition: fair
Size: 4 X 5 X 3inch dp
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: unknowqn  

Shenandoah? Pottery flask w/2 handles & raised decor. raised decorations on 1 end and front, mottled color,blue, green & brown glaze, yellow body, great folk art pottery piece of unknown origin
Circa: 19th cent
Condition: some minor chips
Size: 4inch dia X 6inch ht X 5inch lg
Manufacturer: none  

reverse painted top early pewter box painting is good but pewter is rough, priced cheap, displays well
Circa: 1800's
Condition: worn
Size: 3 1/4inch dia X 2 1/4inch ht
Manufacturer: none  

1785 signed Freidrich Speyer Taufshein, Georg Friederich Speyer, active 1774-1803 in Berks, Dauphin, and Lancaster Counties. An outstanding example of Penna Dutch illuminated art work of the 18th century with parrots, winged angel head , women and Mermaids, Work like this is found rarely outside museums. We are offering this at less than others have sold for at public auction.
See sale at Conestoga Auction Co,, Inc., Manheim, Pennsylvania, November 3-4, 2000, sale of items from the Chris Machmer collection $8800
Circa: 1785
Condition: good some fading of lettering
Size: 13inch X 16inch sight dimension
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Freidrich Speyer  

signed dated 1813 redware charger mold extra rare This mold was used by the potter to create redware chargers. Molds are quite rare as only 1 was required to create hundreds if not thosands of finished pieces.
This mold is signed in sgraffitto [T H Feb 5th, 1813, his mould(sic)]

The first pottery in the Hill-Fulper-Stangl reign was founded by Samuel Hill in 1814 or 1815 in Flemington, NJ. Upon Samuel Hill's death in 1858, pottery worker Abram Fulper began purchasing Hill Pottery from the Hill estate. By the 1860s, the company now owned by Abram Fulper (also known as Abraham) was called Fulper Pottery. By this time the company was producing an assortment of earthenware, stoneware and tile products. Abram Fulper's sons continued the pottery after his passing. The company became known as Fulper Bros. or Fulper Bros. & Co. during the 1880s. Products continued to be utilitarian stoneware and household crockery and tile. In 1899, the company was incorporated as Fulper Pottery Co. Secretary and treasurer of the company was William Hill Fulper II, grandson of Abram, graduate of Princeton University and veteran of the Spanish-American War. The company at that time was producing more household items such as storage jars and Fire-Proof Cookware. Beginning about 1900, Fulper's master potter John Kunsman began throwing a variety of vases and jugs with simple solid color glazes. These were displayed on the sidewalk in front of the pottery building and sold to Flemington visitors and passersby. Some of Kunsman's artware was exhibited at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition with a display of Fulper Germ Proof Filters in 1904 and won an honorable mention for design.

This piece was on exhibit at Fulpers museum and has 2 Fulper stickers circa 1915 along with the type written description label.
It is still unknown who {T H} is, but Fulper recognized it as some relation to Samuel.
We are offering this rare artifact from what Stangl described as the [oldest pottery in the US].

The Hill-Fulper-Stangl Potteries Museum is now closed permanently. And now with the recent sale of the Pfaltzgraff company, the future of this historic building is uncertain. Plans for a new shopping center on adjacent property are already under review.

This item remains as the oldest artifact from the oldest pottery in the USA.

We are proud to make it available for purchase.
Circa: 1813
Condition: excellent
Size: 11 1/2inch X 14 1/2inch
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: pre Fulper  

folk art carved cane w/14 carved animals silver labeled snake handle complete with tongue tops the .800 silver band with owners name J J Schellberg above which are deeplyy carved roses and all along the stick is profusely carved with grape vine and leaves from which 13 animal dwell consisting of bucks, doe, fox, big horn sheep, small antilope, squirrel and rabbit are deeply carved a few with light nose rubs. ferrule is missing. hard wood of unknown species.
great condition
Circa: 1900
Condition: minor losses to noses
Size: 35inch lg
Manufacturer: unknown  

camel #10,000,899 painted/signed by Howard Finster Desert Taxi, May, 23, 1989 signed on back, original work by famous Outsider artist. album cover artist and preacher, now deceased. God will surely never make another like Howard.
Circa: 1989
Condition: perfect
Size: 8 1/2inch ht X 13inch lg
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Howard Finster  

carved wood Amish woman by Jail House Carvers PA similar carving of Amish woman in Machmer book Just For Nice about PA wood carvers, attributed to Jail House Carvers from Graterford Prison & others.
may have had repaint on face
Circa: 1950
Condition: foot chip, glued chip on bonnet
Size: 4 1/2inch ht
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: jail carvers  

Antono Pollaiol #7000.419 by Howard Finster original oil on plywood signed and dated 3/5/1988 12:58 past midnight.
also marked sold Michael Nadolski, This is from Michael's estate.
Circa: 1988
Condition: perfect
Size: 19 3/4inch ht
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Howard Finster  

Giant ball of string from Vandergrift, PA barber shop Each time he received his laundered towels the string which held them together was saved in a ball till an antique dealer found the ball of string in the closed shop while helping the widow clean it up for the last time. She said the barber saved the string for over 25 years. He died over 20 years ago and she was moving into a retirement home. Nothing was added or taken away.
If you think the price is too high, a ball of string was sold at Haussner's Restaurant Collection, 12/18/1999 for $8250.
Vandergrift is just northeast of Pittsburg along the Conemaugh river.
Circa: 1975
Condition: perfect
Size: 14inch dia
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: big ball  

carved folk art cane w/alligator, frogs, snake, cicada carved from unknown wood with bark still attached [ about 40% loss] ivory half knob on top, 6 1/2inch long alligator, 3 different frogs, a cicada or house fly and a 10inch long snake , finely carved scales, but head broken off, nice nickel plated brass and steel ferrule, circa 1875 - 1900 no marks as to maker or area, found in suburban Phila.
American Folk Art Canes by George Meyer pgs 40/41, fig.45 shows a similar cane which may have been carved by the same hand using similar wood stock and motifs.
Circa: 1900
Condition: bark losses, no head on snake
Size: 36inch lg
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: unknown  

photo carved wood folk art frame 3-dimensional [a] A sample Art Deco carved wood frame with 3-dimensional carved and paint decorated torso of sitter plus photographic print of the head attached. This is one of 5 different samples found in storage in southeast PA. They were apparently used to demonstrate the artists skill and demonstrate the variety of styles available to purchase and have your own photo and torso made.
Frame is hand made of light mahogany and from the Great Depression era.
Circa: 1930
Condition: good/original
Size: 9 1/2inch wd X 11 1/2inch ht
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: unknown  

signed RB flat plane style carving man w/bag & hat large heavy well carved flat plane style old man w/bag & cap signed RB under foot in fine cond
Circa: 1930
Condition: fine
Size: 8inch ht
Manufacturer: R B  

Caligraphy spread winged Eagle pen & ink drawing Beautifully detailed drawing, showing off penmanship, of a spread wing American Eagle with a ribbon in it's feet reading [Onward Upward], also stamped [Julia E Weber, 1126 E Monument St, Colorado Springs, Colo.], perhaps the artist?. written in light pencil above stamp is [Very fine, the best I've had for a long time] in script.
unframed, laid on cardboard

calligraphy/calligraphic/Palmer Method
Circa: 1890
Condition: good/laid on cardboard
Size: 15 X 28inch wd
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Julia E Weber  

running/trotting horse copper w/zinc head weathervane great green verdegris surface with traces of gilt showing, several bullet holes filled with lead, light coating of light colored paint present but mostly weathered off from years of exposure. Slight separation at base of tail but is quite solid so mentioned for sake of complete accuracy. Found in Berks County, PA
circa 1875
This form is often called Ethan Allen after a famous trotter.
A superior piece of Americana.
Circa: 1875
Condition: used
Size: horse is 28
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: unknown  

Miniature framed Howard Finster oil on masonite in original frame This was purchased by my now deceased friend, Michael Nadolski, directly from Howard. It is dated Feb. 12, 1988, 7:34 pm #7000.300, front and reverse. It is in the original frame.
Howard's miniatures are rather hard to come by.

Circa: 1988
Condition: used
Size: 4 1/2'' X 6 1/2'' image
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Howard Finster from God  

framed Howard Finster wipe rag art in original frame 1989 This was purchased by my now deceased friend, Michael Nadolski, directly from Howard. It is dated Jan. 20, 1989, 8:42 pm #10.000.035, front and reverse. It is in the original frame.

Circa: 1989
Condition: used
Size: 17 1/2'' X 22'' frame
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Howard Finster  

Walter Gotshalk 1984 carved wood Schimmel type eagle painted carved wood, signed & dated on base, original price sticker, fine condition, 9 1/2'' tall, 3 1/4'' wide base
Circa: 1984
Condition: used
Size: 9 1/2'' tall
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Walter Gotshalk  

fabulous inlaid sewing box circa 1900 w/key minute pieces of inlaid woods make up this superior quality sewing box with original finish, cushion material and key, only the mirror has a blemish.
Circa: 1900
Condition: perfect except mirror
Size: 5 1/2 X 15 X 3 1/2inch dp
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: none  

carved oak folk art picture frame American circa 1890 Quartersawn tiger oak frame deeply and shallowly carved with images of Kit Carson, Napoleon birds, snake hornets, sword Father Time, cat-o-nine-tails, shackles, cross, money bags, headless man w/skeleton grave, sun, woman in pointed hat, Lily of the Valley, baby, cherry blossoms, unidentified Victorian man and woma, book, scroll, pick & shovel, right side reads; Age that hath seen so many follies fly hath not decreased his store when the grave nears. bottom reads; Sorrow and pain fill all our little years. Left side reads; Youth is a storm of futile notes and fears. Top seems to read; Childhood is marred by passion utterly.

perhaps refinished at one time, photo is not original but added for display, will be included.
Circa: 1890
Condition: excellant
Size: 17 X 19
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: none  

Dominik Spani oil on cardboard 1856 portrait signed and dated on back of board in original gold leafed frame w/original backing. minor chipping to frame, no major faults to painting. found in southeastern PA, Listed artist. known as portraitist. sitter unidentified. A fine mid 19th century image.
Circa: 1856
Condition: excellant original
Size: 17 X 21 1/2 frame, 13 X 17 3/4 image
Country of Origin: CH
Manufacturer: Dominik Spani  

Pop in rocker carved wood signed A Nadeau, Pelletier signed Pelletier on back of man, A Nadeau on rocker, perfect condition
Circa: 1970
Condition: perfect
Size: 5 1/2inch ht
Country of Origin: CA
Manufacturer: A Nadeau, Pelletier  

carved & painted wood panel 4 Gibson girls, signed A truly superior folk art carving depicting four girls in their finest attire, crossing a rock strewn stream. All original polychromed decoration of the relief carved wood panel in original black lacquered frame. Signed in pen at lower center but only readable under black light, reads; Made by ? ?, Youngstown, Ohio. Will attempt to reveal name later. Found in the estate of a Phila. Main Line doctor several years ago. Has not been on the market for over 50 years. Very fine detailed carving with equally skillful painting.
Circa: 1900
Condition: fine
Size: 14x21 panel, 20x27 overall
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Youngstown, Ohio  

finely carved panel w/man reading book beautifully detailed, bearded man reading a book, carved from 1inch thk mahogany board, carved Tarbox, 1931 on rear, a fabulous example of wood carving
Circa: 1931
Condition: excellent
Size: 11 X 13inch X 1inch thk
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: signed Tarbox 1931  

carved wooden placque GOING TO THE PARSON hand carved depiction of a young couple in victorian dress standing before the preacher, loads of chisel cut marks on all sides and on front, looks like walnut wood but highly figured, highly detailed folk art carving,
Circa: 1890
Condition: very good
Size: 8 X 10 1/2inch
Manufacturer: unknown  

carved man folk art cane circa 1875 hardwood root carving of a well expressioned man in hat circa 1875
Circa: 1875
Condition: excellent
Size: 37inch lg
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: none  

finely carved horse signed dated mahogany carved wood depicting Jerry, foaled in 1901 as gift for Pearl, by L Wallace, Denver, PA 1956, A beautiful carving w/minor damages.
Circa: 1954
Condition: legs glued. rt ear missing
Size: 8 1/2inch ht X 9 1/2inch ht
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: L Wallace  

Eve & snake folk art carved cane African/American carved of unknown wood with floating ring at top [glued break] above caged ball carving with Eve figure on one side 8inch lg and snake coiled around rest of the length of the stick, the whole stick painted green & white w/1 3/8inch copper ferrule.

See Folk Art Canes figure #125 for nearly identical example.
Circa: 1890
Condition: ring glued wear
Size: 33 1/2inch lg
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: none  

McCoy corn tankard w/4 mugs ultra rare 12inch ht tankard in fine condition with 4 - six inch ht mugs marked #46, 2 with tight hairlines
Circa: 1910
Condition: some damage
Size: 12inch tank 6inch mug
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: McCoy  

wood carving Sailor & Girl very folky carving post WWII wood carving with US sailor & girl hand in hand, colorfully painted with great caricature form, some wear to noses from use.
Will combine with similar carving being offered for discount to keep them together. see wdcrv143
Circa: 1950
Condition: used
Size: 4inch ht
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: none  

Woodchopper carved wood figure Swedish unsigned, nice patina, Swedish flat plane carved woodchopper w/axe, 1958 pencil mark on base by owner, loss to left shoe, otherwise fine
wood carved in the Gunnerson style
Circa: 1920
Condition: used
Size: 5 1/2inch ht X 3 1/4inch square base
Country of Origin: SE
Manufacturer: Gunnerson?  

Alaskan scrimshawed walrus tusk signed Bernard Tuglamena Katexac, (1922-1997)
born on King Island, Alaska, resided in
Nome, Alaska

Bernard was a noted Inuit/Eskimo native artist. He did many beautiful drawings and created prints from same. He also scrimshawed walrus ivory.
This tusk shows many facets of life near and on the sea and depicts life as it was on the King Island. He shows whale hunting and butchering the carcass, seal hunting, crab fishing, walrus hunting, walrus in the water, sleding, a community house readying for a celebration and a view of one of the houses on stilts on a hill, so unique to the King Island.
signed and dated 1973

A little info on King Island;
The island is about 1 mile (1.6 km) wide. It was once the winter home of a group of about 200 Inupiat who called themselves Aseuluk. The Aseuluk spent their winters engaging in subsistence hunting on King Island and their summers engaging in similar activities on the mainland near the location of present-day Nome, Alaska. After the establishment of Nome, the islanders began to sell intricate carvings to residents of Nome during the summer. By 1970, all King Island people had moved to Nome year-round.
In 2005 and 2006 the National Science Foundation (NSF) funded a research project which brought a few King Island natives back to the Island. Some participants had not been back to the island in 50 years. The King Island Community eagerly awaits the projects results.
The island was discovered by Capt. James Cook in 1778 and named for Lt. James King, a member of his party. It is part of the Bering Sea unit of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.
Circa: 1973
Condition: used
Size: 17 1/2inch lg
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Bernard Tuglamena Katexac  

wrought iron wafer iron signed dated 1751 hand wrought iron used to make wafers in remarkably good condition, hand decorated with, ''IEAN HVBERT: PLM 1751'' on one side and various motifs including stars, pinwheels, vases of flowers and a cross on both sides. catch is intact. We believe the maker was of French descent, perhaps Huguenot. Found in central Penna.
Early irons with name and date are quite uncommon.
Circa: 1752
Condition: used
Size: 34 3/4
Manufacturer: unknown  

wood carving of comical tall thin man well designed carving of tall thin man with hands in pockets, wearing large bow tie with comic expressive face.
Made of several pieces of carved pine wood with brown patination from age, circa 1935.
good condition, chip off nose tip has achieved same patina as rest of carving so must have occurred near time of creation., otherwise minor wear from use.
No maker marking.
Some have likened this to Giocometti work but this is earlier.
Circa: 1935
Condition: used
Size: 15 3/4'' ht X 4'' sq base
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: none  

Gunnerson wood carving of Ice Fisherman signed Stamped ''made in Sweden'', signed in pencil, comical ice fisher with one fish, fine condition, has small slot in base but no glue so maybe nothing went there.
Carved by one of Sweden's best known carvers in the ''flat plane style''.
Circa: 1950
Condition: used
Size: 5'' X 3'' X 5 1/2'' ht
Country of Origin: SE
Manufacturer: Gunnerson  

Ainu carved and polychromed wood Bear mask/placque glass eyed open mouthed hand carved by the Ainu tribe living on the island of Hokkaido, the northern most Japanese island, an ethnographic people unlike the other Japanese population. Fine condition with lighy color difference at knot on forehead, a heavy and large carving depicting an animal which is sacred to the Ainu people.
Circa: 1960
Condition: used
Size: 17'' wide X 10'' height X 7'' depth
Country of Origin: JP
Manufacturer: Ainu, Hokkaido  

Dinosaur #8000.084 Howard Finster oil on plywood signed dated July 21, 1988,
also marked sold to Michael Nadolski, This is from Michael's estate.
Circa: 1988
Condition: perfect
Size: 18 1/2inch lg
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Howard Finster