Hand Carved Painted Wood Folk Art Pig Pull Toy on Wheels Walter & June Gottshall
Description: A hand carved wood and polychrome painted American Folk-Art pig pull toy on wheels. The carving shows a pig standing on all four with its head looking down on a green colored platform with red and yellow sponged decoration and having yellow or off-white dots all along the edges. The platform has four wheels turning on nail axles. These toys were very common in the 1700s, 1800s, and 1900s in Pennsylvania German Country where they were played with by children of all ages. The piece was made by Walter and June Gottshall and is marked "June & Walte Gottshall" in hand written cursive calligraphy on the bottom of the base. The pig has a curled tail on its back end. The pig's head is looking down and is topped with two perked ears. The pig is painted with the front half being black and the back end being yellow or off-white. The facial details of the pig show the carved ears, mouth, and snout with the eyes being painted in white with black pupils. The carving is made in the best tradition of Pennsylvania Dutch Folk Art tradition common in Southeastern Pennsylvania and especially Lancaster County, where this piece was acquired. A nice piece of American folk art to add to your Americana Collection. Please carefully review the photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: Unknown but most likely 1970s.
Origin: Purchased at an estate auction in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Size: Measures ~3" at its highest with the base being ~5 1/2" by ~2 1/2" with the wheels being ~13/16" in diameter. The pig itself is ~4 3/8" long, ~1 1/4" at its widest, and ~2 5/8" at its highest. The piece weighs about 3 ounces.
Maker: Walter and June Gottshall.
Marks: Marked "June & Walte Gottshall" in hand written cursive calligraphy on the bottom of the base.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: Truly a nice and interesting piece of American folk art, which would make a worthy addition to your collection of Folk Artt pieces.
Condition: The carving is in very good condition. It has no breaks and no repairs. The colors are fresh and vivid with minimum loss. The piece has a few minor scratches and dings to the surface. The tips of the ears are intact but have lost the black color and you can see the white color of the exposed gesso. The piece is lightly soiled and the wheels on the base are a bit wobbly, but are solidly in there. All in all, a very nice piece of American folk art to add to your collection. Please see photos for additional condition information.
