Mid-20th Century Folk Art Stuffed Indian Elephant Ottoman Foot Stool

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 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 pair of hardwood carved furniture feet from South Tyrolean region Italy, possibly from a ecclesiastical piece like a chest. They remind me of the early imagery of the S...

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 remarkable catchall, emblematic of mid-20th century French folk art, stands out for its ingenious use of half a fruit tree trunk, likely from a cherry tree. This particular trunk s...

Mid-20th century Folk Art English acrobat toy We are proud to offer a rare example of a mid-20th century English folk-art acrobat toy. Handmade from scrat...

Mid 20th century Folk Art cowboy Rodeo Whirligig, circa 1940s to 50s, comprising four carved and painted cowboys mounted on horseback riding in a circle a...

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...