Siamese Twin Mermaid Carving Attributed to the "Cape Carver"

Masterpiece tramp art carving: "THE GRADUATE" This exceptional tramp art figure and podium, nicknamed "The Graduate", is one of the best pieces of this genre of work that I have ever seen. If the form is outstanding, the painted surface is better, scoring a firm ten out of ten. Probably of Pennsylvania origin, the carving was sold about 25 years ago by Lehigh Valley...

Over-sized, Paint-Decorated Baseball Bat, Presented To "J. Whipple" of the "Erie Baseball Club," circa 1858-1870s This remarkable bat, the best 19th century example that I have ever seen, was was presented to "J. Whipple" of the "Erie Baseball Club." Painted red, white, blue, and black, the bat it is decorated in gold with the club's crest. The inscribed date of 1871 may have been added later. This could certainly be accurate in terms of its year of use, though it may actually pre-date this. In combination with the date of the Erie Baseball Club of Buffalo, the painted surface and crest suggest a date between 1858 and perhaps the 1870's at the latest. The graphics of the crest are more indicative of the mid-19th century than the latter decades. The "J. Whipple" on the bat may have been Joseph Oliver Whipple of Buffalo, New York (b. abt. 1830 in NY, d. 14 Oct 1884 in Buffalo, NY -- died in the Erie Canal). There was a baseball club by that name in Buffalo, founded in 1858. There were at least two other clubs by the same name, however, in the same period. One was located in Troy New York...

Pressed brass eagle, an early parade flag holder & bunting tie-back, an especially attractive example, circa 1880-1895 Pressed brass eagles decorated the interiors of Civil War ve...

EXCEPTIONAL PATRIOTIC SCHERENSCHNITTE (PAPER CUTTING), IN THE STYLE OFTEN ATTRIBUTED TO ISAAC STIEHLY, ENTITLED “LIBERTY,” WITH IMAGERY THAT INCLUDES AN AMERICAN EAGLE WITH A 14 STAR, 14 STRIPE FLAG IN ITS BEAK, A RATTLESNAKE, LOVE BIRDS, AND EAGLES ON URNS, CA 1830-1850 This exceptional patriotic scherenschnitte was executed in the style often attributed to Pennsylvania German minister Isaac Stiehly (1800-1869). Scholars now agree that one or more artists, working in New York, were producing their own work in a very similar style. Several examples are known that bear the names of New York and/or New Jersey residents, while two, in particular, include text that celebrates the 1844 New York mayoral election victory of publishing magnate James Harper [founder of what is now Harper Collins], who ran on a ticket sponsored by the American Republican Party, a nativist organization concerned with the loss of American jobs to Irish immigrants. Note the quality of the cutwork on this example, the centerpiece of which is a large American eagle, gripping a coiled rattlesnake and holding an American flag in its beak. Above, in a lozenge-shaped medallion, the word "Liberty" is executed in large script. To the left and right of this are elaborately decorated ovals, and anchoring each corner of the work are snowflake-like medallions. To each side of the eagle, and below, is a plethora of flora and fauna, the outermost pillars of which are supported by two urns, decorated with eagles. At the bottom center is a diamond within a heart, with two doves, one of which is offering the other a leaf. Above this there are appear to be crude representations of a gnome and a fairy flanking and urn decorated with another heart, from which grow the vines in the center window. Interlocking rings decorate the border, probably to represent marriage, and it can logically be presumed that the scherenschnitte was a wedding gift. It is of interest to note that the flag displays both 14 stars and 14 stripes. Although the reason for the use of this count is unknown, on the surface it does appear to be intentional. Other known patriotic scherenschnitte display flags with various star and stripe counts. Of those I have personally owned, the one bore 14 stars and 13 stripes, another 11 stars and 13 stripes, another displayed two flags, including a 12 star flag with 14 stripes and a 14 star jack (a blue naval flag with stars but no stripes), and another, also with 2 flags, displayed a 20 star flag...

Prancing horse weathervane, attributed to Jewel & Co. Waltham, Massachusetts, CA 1860: Prancing horse weathervane by A.H. Jewell & Co., Waltham, MA. Made of molded copper, with a cast zinc head, applied copper ears...

MERINO SHEEP WEATHERVANE, THE VERY BEST OF ITS KIND AND WITH PERHAPS THE BEST SURFACE THAT EXISTS ON SURVIVING EXAMPLES, ATTRIBUTED TO A.J. HARRIS & CO., BOSTON, circa 1875 This fan...

The Hunter attributed to the Huggler's (1834-1912) Of Brienz - a small town in Bernese Oberland, Canton Bern Switzerland. A carving of a huntsman holding a cock pheasant. This appear...

The Hunter attributed to Johann Huggler (1834-1912) Of Brienz - a small town in Bernese Oberland, Canton Bern Switzerland. When one looks at the old photographs of Johann Huggler, this is a self - portrait. Johann Huggler was known as the "King of the Carvers" of Brienz. The few carvings that survived until this day pay homage to the mastery with which he carved animals and human figures. It was he who opened the Swiss wood carving...

From 1866-1871 Bellamy had a workshop he rented in a Masonic Hall in Charlestown, Massachusetts. He employed a number of carvers, including his brother Elijah. They made frames, cloc...

Antique Marble Carving of the Ludovisi Throne. A Grand Tour style carving of the “Ludovisi Throne”. Aphrodite is attended by two handmaidens as she rises out the surf. The original Greek sculpture was carved circa 460 BC. Ludovisi Throne When discovered the Ludovisi Throne was thought to be the seat from a statue of a colossal god, but the definite function is unknown. It may have been a throne, an altar, or enclosure for ritual sacrifices...

Copper, brass and aluminium Parrot on a hoop hanging stand attributed to Sergio Bustamante, circa 1960, Great vintage conditions.

Vintage Bavarian wood carving of the infant bacchus Oberammergau is a world-famous wood carver town in Bavaria, Germany. Nikolaus Lang, a known art...