Magnificent Folk Art Carved Wood Statue of Liberty

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Magnificent Folk Art Carved Wood Statue of Liberty

About the Item

Absolutely incredible vintage chainsaw carved wooden Statue of Liberty. Perfect many places, this Lady Liberty would be awesome in a game room, library, wine cellar, or man cave. Signed by it's sculptor, this fine example was entirely carved utilizing no other tools than a gasoline powered chainsaw. I can barely trim a tree with one of those things, let alone carve anything that would actually resemble what it's supposed to (without taking off one of my own limbs). I think this is a great example of Folk Art and should only increase in value.

The Grandfather of Chainsaw Carving - Don's Story

Born in Alberta, Canada in 1932, Don Colp grew up on a farm with his parents and four younger brothers. Growing up in the post-depression era with no money for toys, Colp and his brothers used their imaginations to entertain themselves.

It was in these early years that Don began carving objects with a knife. He was soon carving chains and animals, making carving his favorite hobby over the next several years.

Don left home at 15 to relieve the burden of five boys on his family, and went to work on a large farm. Over the years, he held several jobs. He sold for Fuller Brush, worked for the railroad, drove a truck, and was a civilian for the Canadian Army.

In the mid 60s, Don decided to start his own business. After buying a truck and a chainsaw, he opened a sawmill and began to cut pulpwood. It was at this time that he set out on the dangerous challenge of carving with a chainsaw.

The carvings were crude in the beginning, but their novelty soon drew a following. With his chainsaw carving business booming, Don sold the sawmill in 1972 so he could carve full time.

Inspired by watching Henry Stettlebauer carve works of art in a matter of minutes on a television show, Don set out to work on speeding up his own time. Still working with the older, bigger chainsaws, Don soon was able to carve a small bear in a mere eight minutes.

Don learned six months later, after meeting and becoming friends with Henry Stettlebauer, that the piece Henry carved on TV had actually taken all day. Through the magic of television, the show had been edited so that is seemed to take only minutes.

Don got the last laugh, however. He was offered a generous contract from Poulan Chain Saw Company in California and traveled about 100,000 miles with them each year for 15 years, conducting carving demonstrations all over the United States.

Dimensions:
Height: 73 in (185.42 cm)Diameter: 15 in (38.1 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Pine
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
20th century
Condition:
In very nice, original condition.
Seller Location:
Chicago, IL
Reference Number:
Seller: dd2341stDibs: U11080882433287