1989 Hand Carved Painted Wood Folk Art Schimmel Style Spread Eagle By J. Bastian
Description: A hand chip carved wood and polychrome painted American Folk-Art figure by Jonathan Bastian. The carving shows a Wilhelm Schimmel Style Eagle standing on a black colored base with its wings spread wide. The eagle is dark brown in color with red, gold and black highlights decoration. The bird's legs and claws are yellow in color. The bird's head has a yellow beak and carved black eyes with a yellow, red and brown tuft on top of it. The eagle itself is standing on a pair of thick legs ending in three thick toes or claws clutching the black base. The bird is made in the best tradition of Pennsylvania Folk Art tradition originally developed by Wilhelm Schimmel who was active in Cumberland Valley Pennsylvania in the mid 1800s. The piece is signed and dated on the back of one of the eagle's wings. The carving shows details of the wings, the tail, the head and beak. It is very well done and shows the marks of the tool used to carve it throughout. Just a very unusual and nicely done 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: 1989.
Origin: Although originally from Kutztown Pennsylvania, Jonathan Bastian now lives and works in Virginia.
Size: Measures ~6 1/2" high, is ~2" by ~2" at the base, and is ~7 3/4" at its widest. The piece weighs slightly over 3.5 ounces.
Maker: Jonathan Bastian.
Marks: Marked in carved lettering on the back of one of the wings "JB 89 USA."
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: Truly a nice and very unusual piece of Americana. We have been collecting this type of folk art for over 20 years and this is the first non-Schimmel piece of this kind we have seen. A great piece, which would make a worthy addition to your collection.
Condition: The carving is in excellent condition, with no breaks, cracks, losses, or repairs. It does have minor scratches and minimal loss to the paint if any. Please see photos for additional condition information.
