Patriotic Whirligig

Painted tool board with original hooks and original black and yellow paint. Wonderful original surface.

A collection of ladies leg calipers Group of nine user-made whimsical calipers in the form of ladies legs, cut from steel. Used to measure inside and outside diameters. Each on a...

With a dark rich patina. Made with oak staves, handle and a mahogany base. In excellent condition. Attributed to Sherwin Porter Boyer (1907-1964). Measures: 6”.    

Made with oak staves, handle, mahogany base and attached brass ears, in excellent condition. The poem on the label reads” I was made in Nantucket, I’m strong and stout. Don’t lose me...

Canada swimming goose, hollow carved with glass eyes and lead plate Signed/incised and titled on the bottom, "The Swimmer, Frank S Finney" circa 1980.

Figural trade sign in the form of a mortar and pestle, both the mortar and pestle are hand turned and gilded, with strong ring turnings. The top is capped with zinc and still bears i...

Long before the hazards of smoking became known, tobacco companies offered premiums included with the purchase of cigars and cigarettes. They were often flannel panels with the flags...

This amazing Folk Art hand made & painted slate frame was found in Pennsylvania. Has a wonderful undisturbed painted surface.

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...

Good early 19th century Swedish / Scandinavian folk art wrought iron candlestick. Ca 1800 Sweden.

Folk Art candlestick cockerel rooster primitive hand forged iron, early 20th century Painted black Naive French Provincial Folk Art Good condition with some remains of wax and sig...

Stamp composed of a set of small welded copper plates forming a bird motif. These stamps were to be printed on the drapery. Indian work, circa 1900.