1980 Hand Carved Painted Wood Primitive Folk Art Goat Pull Toy W & J Gottshall
Description: A hand carved wood and polychrome painted American Folk-Art goat pull toy on wheels. The carving shows a goat standing on all four on a brown painted flat platform having four black wheels. These toys were very common in the 1700s, 1800s, and 1900s in Pennsylvania Dutch Country where they were played with by children of all ages. Normally, they would attach a rope to the front and pull them along at play time. This of course is a reproduction of such toys produced by Walter and June Gottshall as a modern folk art piece. The goat brown colored leather tail, ears, and goat tee. The body of the goat is colored in off-white coloring with black brush strokes for highlights. The details show eyes with pupils, a mouth in red, hoofs in black, and horns (unfortunately the horns are broken and only a short stub remains). A very nice toy made by a well known couple of folk artists from Southeastern Pennsylvania. The carving is made in the best tradition of Pennsylvania Dutch Folk Art 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: 1980.
Origin: Purchased at an estate auction in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Size: Measures ~6 1/2" at its highest (to the top of the leather ears), with the goat being 7" long, and ~1 1/2" at its widest. The platform itself is ~8 1/8" by ~3" and the wheels being ~1 1/2" in diameter. The piece weighs about 9.5 ounces.
Maker: Walter and June Gottshall.
Marks: Marked in ink "WJG 80" on the bottom of the platform.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: Truly a nice and interesting piece of American folk art made by a well known couple of folk artists, which would make a worthy addition to your collection.
Condition: The carving is in relatively good condition. The horns on the top of the goat's head are broken off and only short stubs remain. The leather ears, which are well in place, appear to have been glued back in place. Other than that, the piece has no breaks and no cracks. It does have minor scratches and some loss to the paint especially to the wheeled platform. Because of the broken horns and the repaired ears, we are selling the piece "AS IS" and a fraction of its true value. A nice piece of American folk art for your collection. Please see photos for additional condition information.
