African American Grotesque Lamp

Circa 1940's-1950's folk art lamp with multiple grotesque faces. Following in the African American face jug tradition, this rare and unusual lamp was recently found in the South.

Available at Anonymous Works.

Happy Birthday Abe!

Circa 1920's-1930's folk art bust of Abraham Lincoln.

Vintage Postcard of the Musée de l'Ermite- Galerie Mystique

Anyone know what the Musée de l'Ermite- Galerie Mystique was?

Available here.

Early Figural Wall Lamps

19th century or early 20th century folk art carved figural wall lamps.

The Carvings of Howard Ortman

Born in April, 1894, in Pennsylvania. Howard Ortman moved to San Francisco when he was approximately 20 years old. He became a jeweler, working at both Granat Bros. and Shreves. He married in 1923, but had no children.

In his early seventies, following his wife's death, Ortman started carving intricate, finely crafted sculptures of mixed woods and marrow bones. The highly polished and detailed carvings are especially remarkable since Ortman had lost most of the sight in one eye. He carved over one hundred pieces in a 7-year career, but never exhibited anything in his lifetime.

Howard Ortman died in the early 1970's, leaving all of his work to a close friend.
[biographical information from The Ames Gallery]

1945 Photo Spread of Iwo Jima Carvings

Available here.

Circa 1930's Folk Art Sailor's Heads

Circa 1920's Folk Art Carved "Punch and Judy" Puppet Heads

These GREAT folk art carved puppet heads were recently posted on eBay. They did not meet the reserve although they were bidded up to $810.00

Anonymous Folk Art Carvings

Recently sold at the March 28, 2009 Slotin Folk Art Auction.

19th and 20th Century Wood

Nothing like old wood, the patina, smell, everything...

19th Century Folk Art Bust of a Black Man with Derby

I recently acquired this large folk art bust of a black man with a derby. It bears a striking similarity to the folk art figure of a black slave that used to be in the Harvey Kahn collection for years. I've put the two pieces side by side so you can see the comparison. Not sure if it could possibly be by the same anonymous artist or maybe both were based off of a period illustration? Who knows?

Sectional Portrait Carvings of Man and Woman