Anonymous Works: September 2008

Friday, September 26, 2008

1939 New York World's Fair Skyline Sculpture

Two rare photographs recently sold by James Lamkin of Vintage Photographs.

Here's the seller's description:

Anonymous Artist
A pair of rare photographs showing the skyline sculpture at the 1939 New York World's Fair
Original vintage photographs
Gelatin silver prints; a small handling bend at the top left edge of one, a small handling bend at the bottom left section of the other, circa 1939

Wooden Santo Head of Christ

Sold for $1008.00 on eBay.

Circa 1900 Photograph of a Solar Eclipse

Recently sold by James Lamkin of Vintage Photographs.

"The Man Who Carves His Sermons in Wood"

Original 1930's poster of Reverend Elijah Pierce and his wife.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Woman with Umbrella Vintage Photo

19th century Sharpening Stone with Carving of a Man's Head

19th Century Folk Art Carved Erotic Figure

Rare folk art carved erotic figure of a man.

Folk Art Carved Articulated Woman

Funny looking articulated figure I got a while ago.

"Seated Man- Umberto Jacon" by Jared French

One more from the Christie's auction. Estimate $30,000 - 50,000.

"Study for Standing and Leaping Men" by Jared French

I would kill to have this (or any other Jared French artwork)!

This one goes up at Christie's tomorrow night. Estimate between $15,000 - 25,000.

1933 Chicago World's Fair Rickshaw Souvenir

19th century Tintype of Folk Artist Making a Mural

Early 20th Century Folk Art Ventriloquist Head

Early 20th century folk art carved ventriloquist head of a Kentucky coal miner by an anonymous folk artist.

Recently got this with one other head (pictured in last photo), this head is the largest and measures 11 1/2" tall. These have been described as "Kentucky Talking Heads" and were carved for an early county fair.

The head is hand carved and is still fully functioning! When you press on the top part of the metal plate below the head, the mouth opens and you can make him talk. When you press on the 2nd metal bar at the bottom, the lever makes the eyes roll up and down! What I really like about this figure is the exposed mechanical works that you can see in the back of the head. Not only is it interesting to see how this anonymous folk artist created this head, but it has a nice anthropomorphic quality of an abstract face in the back and I've been tempted to display it that way as well.

I've decided to list this on eBay, as I have to pay for some other recent purchases and money is getting tight (as always).

1867 Folk Art Child's Walnut Chest

Unbelievable folk art child's play chest from 1867 with incised birds, stars and flowers and family tintypes framed within the drawers. Wow!

Sold at Thomaston Place auction for $ 18,000.00 w/o premium.