Carved Painted Wood Folk Art Sheep Pull Toy Walter June Gottshall w/ Dedication
Description: A hand carved wood and polychrome painted American Folk-Art sheep pull toy on wheels. The carving shows a sheep standing on all four on a green colored flat platform having four wheels and a leather strap with a wooden ball at its end to pull the sheep with. 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 was made to a friend named Helen with a nice presentation written on the bottom of the toy that goes "Helen here is your Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner partner, June & Walter With Love, PS this fellow is cheap to FEED" all written in pencil. The sheep has a short black tail made of a fuzzy material and pointing downwards. The sheep is off-white with a yellowish tint and black faint highlights. Its face and legs are colored in black. The animal has white eyes with black pupils and red mouth and nose. It also has two pointy ears. The facial details of the sheep are carved into the front of the head with colored highlights. The details of the face show eyes with pupils, a nose, and a carved mouth. 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: The piece is undated but most likely was made in the 1970s or 1980s.
Origin: Purchased at an estate auction in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Size: Measures ~3" at its highest, to the tip of the ears, with the base being ~4" by ~1 3/4" with the wheels being ~3/4" in diameter. The cat itself is ~2 5/8" long, ~1" at its widest, and ~2 3/8" at its highest, again to the tip of the ear. The piece weighs about 1.5 ounces.
Maker: Walter and June Gottshall.
Marks: Marked "Helen here is your Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner partner, June & Walter With Love, PS this fellow is cheap to FEED" 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 Art pieces.
Condition: The carving is in very good condition with no breaks or repairs. The piece has minor scratches and minor dings. The colors of the sheep are fresh and vivid. Finally, on the bottom of the base note the holes and the raised wood where the nails holding the animal to the base are protruding. These of course are original to the making of the piece and cannot be seen when the piece is displayed. All in all, this is a nice piece of American folk art in truly great condition after being around for almost 50 years. It would make a great addition to your collection. Please see photos for additional condition information.
