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Description: |
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This is hands-down the best folk carving of a horse in this scale that I have ever encountered. Some observers have likened the form to a Elie Nadelman bronze or a Bill Traylor drawing, but to me it most closely resembles the na�ve, Native American illustrations of horses seen on cave drawings, robes, and parchment.
The construction is highly unusual. The carver chose to glue at least eight long, rectangular blocks of wood together to achieve a large enough piece from which to carve the body and neck, which seems unnecessary. Maybe this decision was a product of what was available to him; maybe it was a conscious design choice; but whatever the case may be, the fact remains that the head, a portion of the tail, and the lower half of the legs were applied instead of the appendages being carved in full as one might expect.
The fine, willowy forelegs are mortised into the larger carving for strength. Despite the fact that they are so thin, they were actually made of more than one layer of wood, then soaked and bent.
A magnificent piece of workmanship in all respects, the horse retains an early surface and was made during the last quarter of the 19th century. |
Inventory Number: |
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Dealer |
Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques, llc |
Contact |
Jeff Bridgman |
Phone: (717) 502-1281 |
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Period: |
19th Century (1801-1900) |
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Date: |
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Origin: |
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Condition: |
Excellent. |
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Measurements: |
8" tall x 12" long x 2" deep |
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Inventory |
Other Inventory by this Dealer |
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Web-site: |
http://www.jeffbridgman.com |
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Price: |
SOLD |
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E-mail: |
Inquire
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