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THBIntricately Carved Folk Art Pipe Made from Root Found Near Harper's Ferry by 5th Ohio Volunteer, R. Wessel
About Seller
6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more
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About Auction
LiveFeb 21, 2017 - Feb 22, 2017
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
View Full Catalog (290)
- Lot Description
Large, dramatic, folk art carved pipe made from laurel root, with relief carved, seven line inscription on one of the projections extending from the bowl, which states, This / Root was / Found on / the Banks of / the Potomac / Near / Harpers Ferry, with what looks to be zigzag lines (possibly representing the river banks) and a tree carved below, followed by seven more lines of text, This Pipe was / Made By / R. Wessel / A Member / of / the 5 OVI / C.A. A relief carved American flag flies over the inscription and is attached to a flag pole that extends to the line, Harpers Ferry. The reverse side of the projection showing the seven line inscription features a relief carved eagle with patriotic shield at its center, holding arrows in its talon, with what appears to be a cannon, bayonets, and crossed rifles carved below. Another extension of the root, which appears to represent the shank, features a second relief carved American flag with E. Pluribus / Unum below. The stars and stripes of the flag as well as the text are filled in with red seal wax (although some of the wax has worn away). Various sections of the pipe are carved in the forms of different creatures, including what looks to be a lizard, snake, a large cat that may be a panther following a smaller cat, which is perched atop what may be a lion clutching a small section of the pipe carved in the form of a tree trunk. The section featuring the two cats and lion are carved at the base of the bowl. Approx. 9 in. wide, approx. height 5 in.; bowl dia. 1 in.
Richard Wessel volunteered to join the army on June 21, 1861. That same day, he mustered in as a private with the 5th Ohio Volunteers, Co. A. He fought with the 5th OH for almost the duration of the war. He and his regiment fought most bravely at the Battle of Winchester. Against a barrage of heavy fire, the 5th Ohio displayed extraordinary valor and pushed on. Marveling at their bravery in the face of possible defeat, General Sullivan exclaimed, “Thank God, the brave 5th Ohio is still standing its ground and holding the rebels” (civilwardata.com). After the battle, 48 bullet holes littered the company flag and ten bullets tore through the state flag. As a token of thanks, the city council in Cincinnati presented the company with a beautiful stand of colors. It marched on to the Battle of Port Republic. There, the enemy took 185 of its men prisoner. Undeterred, the regiment fought bravely at Chancellorsville and Antietam where the men drained their cartridge boxes three times, shooting at least 100 bullets per man at the enemy. They participated at Gettysburg and led the charge through the clouds at Lookout Mountain. They fought alongside General Sherman’s forces at the Battle of Atlanta and his March to the Sea. At Rocky Mountain, the enemy captured Wessel but paroled him on May 5, 1864. Most likely exhausted but filled with extreme pride, Wessel mustered out of the army at Columbus, Ohio on March 26, 1865.
Provenance: N. Flayderman and Co., Inc.Some chips in wood, especially near edges of the different projections. Edge of shank with few larger chips. Some loss in red wax applied to American flag and text on shank. Some soiling in crevices of carved details. Few minor cracks in wood.Condition
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