Hand-Crafted Wall Decorations

A French wall-mounted mahogany shelf, with turned spindle supports and decorative finials. Two shelves with curved corners and brass gallery. Beautiful flame mahogany veneer back. Th...

American print of St. Michael's church on Meeting Street, Charleston, SC. matted under glass in gilt frame. Elizabeth O'Neil Verner, early 20th century.

A very interesting and unusual Lancaster Covered Bridge Original Oil Painting by artist J. Earle Pfoutz. The painting is produced on artist board and comes complete with what appears to be an original artist decorated/painted frame. The painting is signed on the front by the artist and is dated 1936 on the rear. Overall frame Size approximately 28″ wide x 2″ deep x 22″ high J. Earle Pfoutz had a long and distinguished career as a self trained artist. More can be learned about him from reading this article produced by Gary Hawbaker at askART Earle Pfoutz Born: 1891 – Lancaster, Pennsylvania Died: 1957 Known for: Landscape, figure, still life painting An image of J Earle Pfoutz Biography from the Archives of askART J. Earle Pfoutz (John Earle Pfoutz) – (Oct 23, 1891-Nov 9, 1957) “A seventh generation descendant of a Swiss family which arrived in America early in the 17th Century, J. Earle Pfoutz was born in Lancaster, PA, son of John Bachman and Susan Allison Pfoutz. He painted houses for a living and pictures for a life. A self-taught artist, described as a primitive, he was distinctive for his vivid imagination and bold color application. He painted hundreds of Lancaster County scenes. Pfoutz traveled through the hills near his home and along the Susquehanna River in search of scenes. He began painting with a brush when he was fourteen, but added a palette knife after suffering an eye injury. He completed eighth grade in the Lancaster Public Schools and there his formal education ended. However, the Department of Public Instruction of the State of Pennsylvania thought so highly of his work as an artist that officials certified him as an art instructor and he taught for a year in the York (PA) public schools. He also was an art instructor under the program for disabled veterans, sponsored by the Veterans Administration, when he gave private instruction to veterans in their homes. In 1947, J. Earle Pfoutz finally earned national recognition as an artist. His painting, Opalescent October, was chosen by the Museum of Art of Dayton Ohio, to travel all over the country for a year with its Group Exhibition. Described as a “very colorful, calm scene, iridescent in color, sweeping in design,” the painting started on its journey around the country early in 1948. In an interview with the Sunday News (Lancaster, PA – Nov 2, 1947), Pfoutz stated that he didn’t know whether he was a “primitive” or an “impressionist.” No master taught him, no school channeled his style. “Sometimes I didn’t eat, but I always managed to paint,” he recalled. Many of his hundreds of canvases -most of them not sold, but given away to friends – found their way to other parts of the country. “I never remember the day when I did not love color,” Pfoutz said. “I was about 12 years old when I saw my first palette – a string of different colored paint paddles that graced the stores of that day. As a boy I had two great desires. One was to be able to eat all the strawberry jam I could, and the other to possess a string of those beautiful paint paddles. Well, I’ve got my fill of jelly, but I’ve never yet got my fill of beautiful colors.” In 1950, Pfoutz’s one man show of paintings made front page headlines in the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal: “Most of the twenty oil paintings on exhibition are landscapes, although there are several interesting figure studies. Colors again, as in all Pfoutziana are rich and full-bodied, but for the most part not as startlingly as in some of the earlier work. Most of the paintings were done during the past year, and also reveal the painter’s characteristic heavy impasto technique, in which the rich swirls of paint carry their own message. Among the figures, The Banjo Picker, and The Magician, are the most provocative. Both are character studies; the first being of a tramp musician whose drab clothing is set-off by a luminous aqua blue background. Modern in feeling and treatment is The Magician, a clown-faced wizard whose spinning ball in the air suggests the fourth dimension – space. The use of the primary colors in this picture serves to emphasize the theme effectively. A large colorful landscape, Opalescent October, depicting rolling hills against a late afternoon sky is new to Lancastrians, as it has just returned from Dayton, Ohio, where it hung in the Dayton Art Institute. Another landscape with soft dreamy colors is Fantasie D’Autumne, and one of the loveliest pictures in the show. Pennsylvania Dutch Country is another with eye appeal, and was one of the works which was hung in the Old Customs House in Philadelphia during Pennsylvania Week, and before that in a collection of Pfoutz work in the same place. In deep contrast to the sunny skies and brilliant foliage of many of the pictures, is the somewhat morbid Worry, in which the center of interest is a tremendous rat. This, the painter explains, was symbolic of 1948 in China, which was ‘The Year of The Rat’ in the Chinese calendar. Background material for the picture was furnished to Pfoutz by author Pearl Buck. Other pictures include Autumn Prelude, Miners Village, painted at Cornwall, PA; Humid Day, Saint Peters Kierch, at Middletown, PA; Lady Pfoutz, inspired by the painter’s wife; Sun Flowers, Sentimental Journey, Gyne, Luzon Woman, Old Bridge, The Cow Path. Lemures, based on Roman mythology, and Ethiopian, painted from an ebony wood carving from Kenya Province, S. Africa.” In 1953, Pfoutz was installed as President of the Lancaster County Art Association. A. Z. Kruse, New York City artist, writer and member of the faculty of the Brooklyn College and the Cartoonists and Illustrators School, Manhattan, was the guest speaker. In January of 1953, thirty-five Pfoutz oils were exhibited at the Old Custom House in Philadelphia, PA under the sponsorship of the Carl Schurz Memorial Foundation. Several Lancaster County landscapes and covered bridges were included as well as Katy, a Pennsylvania Dutch scene. Symbolic paintings included End of the Second Day, the artist’s visualization of the second coming of Christ, and Twilight, typifying the grief of mothers of all lands for sons lost in battle. In June of 1953, a Pfoutz oil made history in Lancaster. From the Lancaster New Era: “For the first in local art history, a painting has been withdrawn from an exhibition because of objections from viewers and hostesses serving at the show. The painting, Jeune Fille, a standing nude done by Pfoutz, was one of the paintings in the annual spring exhibition of the Art Association and had become the center of the controversy. Pfoutz said he took the painting down… ‘graciously but reluctantly.’ ‘From an artistic standpoint, there is nothing offensive about the painting,’ Pfoutz said. ‘This community just wants its nudes with clothes on.’ “It is most brilliant in color, and because it is so brilliant I thought it would make a nice lively spot for the show. This is the first time I’ve had to take a picture off the walls. I substituted a seascape for it.’ Pfoutz said he felt the painting brought a lot of viewers to the show because it was so controversial. It had never been exhibited before. ‘If this had been shown in a metropolitan city,’ he commented, ‘people wouldn’t have given it a second glance. But the viewpoint here is more conservative, even though I don’t think moderns would have minded.’ He said he felt the painting was neither ‘objectionable nor pornographic,’ but had complied with the wishes of fellow members of the Art Association who telephoned him to relay the protests they had received. The art controversy was the first to arise here publicly since the showing of Amish Grandmother, an oil by William Gropper which was part of the Gimbel Pennsylvania exhibit at the Griest Building several years ago. — Numerous viewers of Amish Grandmother, [a painting showing an Amish woman holding a white goose], expressed themselves quite vocally, calling it an affront to the Plain Folk. But it stayed on exhibit throughout the length of the Gimbel show. Pfoutz expressed no rancor, implying that if Gropper could take it so could he.” After his death, there were several shows of Pfoutz’ work organized by his son J. Earle, Jr. J. Earle, Jr. also saw to it that President Eisenhower would receive an oil called The Cow’s Path. The president first saw the painting in 1950 when, as president of Columbia University, he visited Lancaster to address a student assembly at Franklin and Marshall College. After his address was over, the then Gen. Eisenhower stopped at the Fackenthal Library on the campus to view an exhibition of Pfoutz’s paintings. The Cow’s Path intrigued him. For some time, as his aides fumed to get him back on his time schedule, Eisenhower and Pfoutz talked, as artist to artist. Prior to his death, Pfoutz requested that The Cow’s Path be given to the President if he wanted it. The painting was presented to Ike at the White House in November of 1959. Mrs. Eisenhower owned a Pfoutz painting titled, In the Manor. Though house painting was his livelihood, he worked for Millersville State Teachers College (now a university) for a time during World War II, and called himself “the Chimney Sweep of MSTC.” During that period he knocked out a dizzying canvas in the surrealist style (he thought it was terrible) and got into the campus newspaper when one of the students spotted it. Earle Pfoutz was not the humble, downtrodden artist, not the Douanier Rousseau type at all. As he developed his skill and style through the years, he also fashioned a resilient confidence in himself as an artist. Whether he was building his own home (he built two) or painting one for somebody else, he never lost faith in his ultimate recognition—though he was never sure he would live to see it. Whether he was working as a rigger for a hoisting company, in the Stehli Silk Mill of Lancaster, carving Cloister-style chairs, decorating old chests, cementing bricks from the old Safe...

Chic mid century lithograph of two elephants taken from a drawing or pen and ink style image presented under glass in an Asian style parcel gilt mahogany frame.

Funky humanistic silk screen mounted on lucite frame, very interesting piece of art .

Duisburger Kunstgewerbe Mid Century Studio Pottery Wall Hanging, Germany, 1960s. Wonderful and quintessentially mid-century studio pottery chained wall hanging...

Born in 1992 in Macerata in the Marche region, the Italian artist carried out a path that between studies of Surveyor and Architecture led him to a long collaboration with a craft co...

Antique taxidermy from Austria. You're looking at an extremely rare example of original craftsmanship: A hunting trophy hand-carved and hand-painted from the 1950s. Antlers and woode...

Beautiful pair of brass wall hanging candle holder.

A Chippendale style Chinoiserie Composition and wood hanging Corner shelf or bracket Polychrome, parcel-gilt and pierced composition upper section with lattice, flowers and pa...

One of a kind, 19th century leaded and stained glass panel. This incredibly well made glass window frame depicting a beautifully hand painted angel is another one of our recent great finds. The serenity and innocence that this child Jesus radiates reveils the quality of the workmanship of the artisan who created this work of religious art. This unique and highly decorative antique fragment...

Large and eye-catching wall chart with fantastic graphics, featuring a pigeon which was used for educational purposes. Great artwork to add to existing collection of this well known ...

Ottoman prints 2. Multi-color Giclèe print on 100% cotton paper. Ottoman personage paired with romantic country views. Bluette passepartout. Black lacquered designer wood frame. Fro...

Copy of landscape titled "Edge of the Nile" showing group of men and camel by waters edge under palm tree, sailboat in background

This felt wall art collection was created by Studio Marmi, an award winning design studio based in Istanbul and Los Angeles. Terra is part of the ASTRA contemporary three-dimensiona...

This framed hooked rug or mat was done by the well known George Edouard Tremblay of Quebec Canada in approximately 1940 in his period Folk Art style. The rug or mat is done with wool...

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of antique circa 1920’s Chinese Export hand painted on silk paintings depicting a Geisha girl and a floral scene with butterfly. A very good looking and beautifully painted pair, they were made for the export market during the British colonialism...

Beautiful pair of wall sconces made of brass, artistically hand embedded with old mosaic of Persian ceramic tiles. This one of a kind Pair could be use as decorative wall hanging ho...

Unique and large Brutalist wall light sculpture made of amber and clear pressed glass mounted on a metal base with lighting mechanism behind. Heavy duty. Made by Biancardi and Jordan...

This lithograph was done by the well known Karel or Karl Appel of the Netherlands in 1973 in his Modernist style. The print is done in vivid colors and is pencil marked "EH" on the b...

Exceptional fragment of a baroque altarpiece in carved and gilded wood. The technique used in the conception of this piece is exceptional, the different elements have been devastated...

Born in 1992 in Macerata in the Marche region, the Italian artist carried out a path that between studies of Surveyor and Architecture led him to a long collaboration with a Craft co...

Set of 2 amara & colourless sky by Natalie Van der Massen Dimensions: 50 x H 150 cm (each). Materials: Linen, bio cotton. Off white, grijs. Technique: Manually woven. Hand-crafted. Amara & Colourless Sky is a handcrafted tapestry. Unique in its kind. With beautiful, subtle colors that create a calm and peaceful environment in every room. Paired with the Amara Tapestry to create the perfect duo. Designer's Biography Nathalie Van der Massen (°88) is a designer working in the field of textile and graphic design, interior, and architecture. After finishing her Master in Graphic Design at Sint Lucas Antwerp, she went to LUCA Ghent for a 2nd degree in Textile Design. During this study period, she was selected for a residency at the Textile Museum in Tilburg and did internships with an Italian fashion company in Como and later with fashion designer Christian Wijnants...

Antique taxidermy from Austria. You're looking at an extremely rare example of original craftsmanship: A hunting trophy hand-carved and hand-painted from 1961. Antlers and wooden soc...

As found in Europe, this very serene landscape of a boy in the forefront in a field carrying hay. A simple and relaxed scene yet very effective in composition. Sweeping brushstrokes...

SET of 10 Mid-Century French Modern Fruitwood Dining Chairs with original floral tapestry upholstered seat and back with 6-sided front legs with brass sabot feet (4 armchairs, 6 side...

A rare and beautiful Mid-Century Modern French tapestry or hanging wall art. This tapestry is by the very talented French tapestry maker and ceramic artist Henri Gineste...

Black forest pair of hanging corner shelves, hand carved in Switzerland between 1860 and 1890. The black forest hanging corner shelves are quite unusual with their original intricate carving. Black Forest Furniture...

Granite+ Smoke x 2LG Studio Salvage 'YCSWM' wall hanging 04. 1/1 200cm x 152cm Orange, pinks, lilac, creams, greens Handmade and appliquéd by Granite + Smoke in London & Scotlan...

Exceptional Japanese contemporary two-panel "byobu" or folding screen featuring two graceful ladies dressed in elegant formal traditional Japanese kimonos. This folding screen is ins...

The heart collection is the result of the extravagant creativity of two innovative designers, who are inspired especially by the human body. This collection is made by 4 beautiful...

A stumpwork panel of King Charles I and Henrietta Maria c1660 12" x 12"

Unique framed wire sculpture of a Picasso sketch. Toby Heller was an American Postwar & Contemporary artist. Internationally renowned painter, sculptor ...

Jarron Con Flores, ink on paper by Rene Portocarrero (1912-1985). This wonderful drawing made by Portocarrero is one of the few that survive from his artistic period of the 1940s a...

Exceptionally rare antique Cope Large and impressive Beautiful Silk Lampas skillfully hand woven in crimson / pink silk upon an opulent gold metallic gro...

Presenting a glorious piece of original Dutch art, namely, a scene of Dutch ice skating oil on canvas by Van Buiksloot. J. Van Buiksloot was a Dut...

Ottoman print 1. Multi-color Giclèe print on 100% cotton paper. Ottoman personage paired with romantic country views. Bluette passepartout. Black lacquered designer wood frame. From...

Stunning Witco inspired modernist abstract hand carved wall sculpture plaque by Bosko Hrnjak. The sculpture is titled "Mod Fish" and is carved out of redwood with a hand painted Osnaburg canvas. Mounted in a beautiful handmade redwood frame...

Henri (Rik) van Kogelenberg 'Flemish Dovecote' Naively Painted Oil on Canvas Belgium 1960s This is a delightful and beautifully naively painted mid 20th century work by Henri (Rik) ...

Contemporary Raku ceramic tribal mask with antlers by Argon A raku fired ceramic mask by the artist Argon, purchased in the 1980s at Galleria de la Raza in San Francisco. The expression is one of wonder, with pupils of African trade beads...

VINTAGE FRAMED PRINT Depicting a man seated on the sofa with his hands covering his face. The artist has skilfully captured the mood in the room with the tilted perspective and deep...

This multiple is sold together with the accompanying book 'Enrico Castellani Pittore' by Vincenzo Agnetti. Published by Achille Mauri, Milan, accompanying publication of the book 'E...

Important large clave stone color lithograph "The Game of Cards" depicting two Kings playing cards. Image: 21"x28.5". Period matted in an oak frame: 28.75 x 35.50 x 2".

Louis Quinze style wall mirror with beautiful, hand carved details. If this beautifully handcrafted mirror is the right style to fit your interior and the size is correct for your n...

An 18th century French Louis XVI style trumeau mirror with a large oil painting depicting The Abduction of Deianira after Guido Reni. Gilded wood frame with bright gilt finish is in ...

19th Century English Oil Painting of a Bulldog by R.H. Hearn, Dated 1874. A finely executed 19th-century English oil painting depicting a seated bulldog, signed and dated by the art...

Born in 1992 in Macerata in the Marche region, the Italian artist carried out a path that between studies of Surveyor and Architecture led him to a long collaboration with a craft co...

Born in 1992 in Macerata in the Marche region, the Italian artist carried out a path that between studies of Surveyor and Architecture led him to a long collaboration with a craft co...

Unique one of a kind custom tapestry designed and hand made by California master tapestry artist Helen Webber (American 1928-2019). The artist utilizes a collage technique combining...

A very well done hand painted sun and moon sculpture / wall hanging, circa 1990s. The piece is 11" in diameter and depicts a happy sun and moon with a smiling face. It is made of ter...

The heart collection is the result of the extravagant creativity of two innovative designers, who are inspired especially by the human body. This collection is made by 4 beautiful...

Lofty antique Italian bisected seashell arrangement ambitiously composed in a floral motif. Presented under a convex lens in a distressed ceramic round frame.

Painted glass and Swarovski crystal. Polished stainless steel frame.

19th Century Regency Mahogany Lawyers Bookcase Wall Cabinet Biotech, 1811-1819 . Rare early 19th century Regency graduated lawyer’s bookcase cabinet . Tapered scale 13" depth to 17" at the base, which gives it a lot of charm and takes away the heavy look of some other bookcases. All the original hardware still intact in lions head knobs with a ring This antique library bookcase has the original glass with one cracked that we never replace . Each shelf opens upward. 4 Regular size and the shelf on top of the Two lower drawers is for larger items to be exhibited and stored away. Perfect for a library, lawyers office...

This stunning set of two black and brown screens are totally hand made in Italy, they were made in 1990 in Milano. They are an example of great craftsmans...

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely hand carved wall plaque coat of arms for the city of York Fighting Scots dating from 1587 This is a very good looking and well made ...

Large hand crafted iron scroll design wall bracket. Wrought iron handcrafted wall-bracket for lanterns or signs. Perfect for hanging lights or plants outdoors. Scrolling wall-mou...

The Brut Bibliothèque takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. Designed by Aad Bos and crafted in the Netherlands. Mokko is an Amsterdam based design studio with...