Lead Folk Art

A rather odd hard cast lead pointing hand, with a decorative ruffled cuff with layers of historical paint. Possibly part of fairground machine or game, ...

Early 19th century miniature coffin, constructed from the casket that contained the body of Admiral Lord Nelson The casket covered with printed paper, the top with Viscount's coronet, an image of Nelson's tomb, and printed dedication, the sides with various trophy of arms and naval symbols, The interior is lead lined with the lid having the engraving George Harnage Captain R.N. 1820. A printed label underneath reads Mr Walter...

A scarce early Duluth Fish Decoy American folk art sculpture, depicting a bull frog, hand-carved by the late David Earl Perkins (Duluth, Minnesota, 1934-2018), featuring the original hand-painted polychrome finish with realistic coloring, bulging blue glass eyes, paint decorated metal spinner blades attached to extended rear feet, signed at the underside "DFD", on a lead weight. circa 1960s/1970s Originally based on lures used for winter spear fishing, see below for the Duluth Fish Decoy story. - Dimensions: (approx) 1.5" High, 9.5" Wide, 1.75" Deep - Provenance / Acquisition: Property from a prominent Dallas, Texas estate Acquired from highly reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, est.1983, Austin, Texas - Very good original vintage condition with beautifully aged patina and typical wear, character and charm - The Duluth Fish Decoys Story: (From the DFD website and in the words of Dave & Jim Perkins) "I guess it all started when I speared my first northern pike – what a thrill.  The only thing better was to spear one lured in with a decoy I made myself. I made more decoys to spear more fish and found out I liked making decoys as much as spearing northerns.  Well, soon enough, my decoy/lunch box had more decoys than lunch. So I laid off the making and stepped up the spearing. Then when the fish tore them up and they scraped up against each other in the lunch box and they rolled around on the floor of the dark-house they weathered with an aged, charactered, antique patina.  It wasn't long before friends paid more mind to my spearing decoys than my fish stories.  Said they’d like to have some to set on the mantle – said they were folky.  So I laid off the spearing and stepped up the carving. Now I've been making DFD (Duluth Fish Decoys) spearing  decoys for longer than I want to admit – they say you’re only as old as you think you are. Being on the north side of seventy, I been making them for… let’s just say a long time.   I don’t know a web site from a stick of fire wood but the kids and grand-kids have been pestering me to get one for years. In fact, I told Jim, you make the web thing and I'll make the decoys that go on it.  But with the demand being more than I can keep up with, he's been making them right alongside of me - just like when he was a kid. Great to keep it in the family - two generations of DFD. Who'd of thunk it.   What a hoot it’s been to create something so enjoyed by others. Along the way our DFD decoys have ended up in The American Museum of Folk Art, on a limited edition print, in a governor’s mansion, in Hollywood actors' homes, in fishing decoy books, with interior designers, in art galleries, on a DVD, and now in a coffee table book devoted entirely to DFD.  What a hobby it’s been – what a blessing of God.   I hope to continue as long as my health holds out.   Lo, these many years later our DFD spearing decoys are still hand-crafted with that aged, weathered, antique patina.  As with all folk art...

Folk Art Enameled Iron or Lead Top Hat from the early 1900's. Likely used in the period as an advertising prop but works well for other uses today, possibly for flowers or a bar with...

Straight off the dairy farm in Hyde Park, New York, Dutchess County. This potting table was lovingly used and housed in a small shed near the dairy bar...

A charming and very rare folk art sunburst mirror, French, dating the the early 1800's, it is formed out of lead which has been hammered and shaped, it has then been overpainted in g...

Antique Lead pig in excellent condition. The details are amazing and this pig has character. the pics are accurate and she is in excellent condition! Fine c...

Antique American sloop rigged sailing pond model, circa 1900, having a high Marconi rig with double spreaders and full running rigging, on hollow hull with ...

With wonderful patina. Measures: 18.5” W x 7” D x 9” H.        

Early 20th century oversized metal hat makers trade sign We are proud to offer a unique and rare handmade Lead compound metal oversized early 20th Century ...

Late 19th century oversized English lead toy soldiers We are proud to offer a highly unusually set of oversized handcrafted English lead toy soldier figures...

Rare English Folk-art owl decoy A very rare and unusual handmade English Folk-art owl decoy, still in its original handmade purpose-built wooden numbered cr...