United States, Southern states, 19th century. An American folk art wooden walking stick, signed "JMS" at the upper end, that was hand-carved from a single gnarled branch with nine faces - perhaps intended to represent nature spirits - delineated in high relief and carved from the original branch's limbs. Each face presents an amusing, almost grotesque character. From top to bottom: a long-nosed, wide-eyed visage with a toothy grin; next, a bearded fellow and a laughing face behind him; two more back-to-back entities with wide-open mouths as if singing or shouting; a red-capped, cocked head with an upturned nose; an amusing fellow sticking out his tongue; and finally, two more back-to-back faces with pointy caps, one painted red with black polka dots. Size: 35.375" H (89.9 cm); 35.625" H (90.5 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: J Compton Gallery, Wimberley, Texas, USA
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#167221
Condition
Signed "JMS" at the upper end. Minute loss to tip of nose of the figure with the black polka dotted red cap. Otherwise, just normal age wear and intact. Comes with custom stand.