Early 20th Century Folk Art Gnomes Gardeners Original Paint Treen

A large carved and polychrome painted tobacconist's figure almost certainly 17th or early 18th century For a related example see Edward H. Pinto, Treen and other Wooden Bygones, Bell and Hyman, London 1969. Page 412, plate 436. Originally this may well have been a tobacconist's shop window figure. For a similar, but slightly earlier unpainted example, see Sotheby's, The W. J. Shepherd collection of treen, 30th November 1983, Lot 393, illustrated in Pinto "Wooden Bygones of Smoking and Snuff Taking", plate 1. Carved wooden figures, often painted, were placed outside tobacconist's shops as signs from the 17th century onwards. The earliest of these figures is the 'black boy' or 'blackamoor'. 'At the sign of the black boy' or 'at the sign of the blackamoor' was a popular address for tobacconists since the early 17th century. The 17th century figures...

A wonderfully detailed and intricately decorated early 19th century shell work figure. Depicting a traditionally dressed Chinese gent, with his wispy beard, hat and holding his bask...

A oversized late 19th century Marionette in original untouched condition, originating from Palmero Italy. The figure is missing both arms, its original clothing is heavily fad...

A rather odd hand painted political black leather Gladstone holdall, believed to be a graduate college bag. American in origins, second quarter of the 20th century in age 3...

Early 20th Century Folk Art Fairground Elephant We share what we love, and we love this charming and naively formed early 20th century hand craved fairground ride figure. With a de...

Early 20th century folk art huntsman figure. A charming handcrafted folk-art figure of a huntsman. Constructed from pine, lead and leather this figure stands holding a metal riffle in his articulated lead hands. With faded and worn paint and stood on an old ceiling...

A whimsical early 20th century American Folk Art purple Martin pine birdhouse with two levels, eight entrances, and a wonderfully shingled roof and weath...

Early 20th century Folk Art driftwood dachshund, circa 1920, a natural form piece of driftwood that has been augmented with the addition of inset Periwinkle shell eyes, two drilled n...