African-American Folk art, Antiques, and Quilts

      Folk art, antiques, and outsider art  

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African-American carvingAfrican-American carving of mother and children
Two exceptional, large, African-American
carvings by the same anonymous maker
Folky cupboard
Folky African-American
church cupboard from NC
Velvet African-American quilt
Velvet African-American quilt
from Savannah, GA

Large African-American
Carved hand and egg
Outsider art concrete faces
Group of concrete and found object faces by African-American outsider artist Betty Davis

This is a great African-American carving, very large and striking, of a hand holding up an egg. It was carved from a section of a large log. This piece has an enormous "look" and presence. It stands 31" high, and the irregularly shaped base is approximately 16" in diameter - about 19" across at its widest. The carving was found in southern Somerset Co, PA or northern Garret Co, MD in the early 1970's, although it is much older than that. It has remained in a private collection for the last 30 years or so. The age splits, visible in the photo, do not affect the stability or solidity. The condition is very good. The price is $3500.00. Inventory Code: TASP.   Carved hand and egg ... Three more views ... Different angles ... Closeup of the hand and egg ... Second closeup ... Third closeup ... Fourth closeup ... Fifth closeup ... Closeup from above ... Very close of the fingers ... Another very close shot ... Closeup of base ... Another closeup of base ... Third closeup of base.

Large African-American carvingThis is a very large, powerful African-American carving of a man and lion. The mane of the lion makes up the man's hair. It stands almost 3 feet high - 33" by 13" by 22", and is hand carved from ancient swamp-submerged cypress with a varnish finish. This is one of three known carvings by the same anonymous artist found in Florida. We are told that one of them was found in a black neighborhood in Jacksonville, FL. This one has been in a private collection for about the last 30 years, and was probably made around the 1940's. We have a second one available below. Overall the condition is very good, and it is very sturdy. There is an old crack on one of the lion's teeth, a very old drying crack around and underneath the lion's chin (which is still very strong), and a few scuffs in the finish. The price is $3400.00. Inventory Code: AAHW.   Overall image ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... Third closeup ... Another overall view ... Side view ... Back view ... The lion side ... Another view of the lion ... The lion, from above ... From above ... Another view from above ... A different angle from above ... With a yardstick for scale.
With the other carving by the same maker, below:   Both carvings together ... Another angle ... A third view ... From above.

Some much larger photos:   Overall image ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... Third closeup ... Another overall view ... With a yardstick for scale.
With the other carving by the same maker, below:   Both carvings together ... Another angle ... A third view ... From above.

African-American carving of mother and childrenThis is a fairly large, and visually very strong carving. It is of an African-American woman with two children. It is 31" high by 17 1/2" wide by 12" deep. The boy is wearing overalls. This piece is hand carved from ancient swamp-submerged cypress with a varnish finish. It is one of three known carvings by the same anonymous artist that were found in Florida. We have one of the other two above. It is even larger, and is a combination of a lion and a man. This one has been in a private collection for many years. It was probably made no more recently than around the 1940's. The condition is very good, and it is very sturdy. The price is $1,800.00. Inventory Code: TROR.   African-American carving of mother and children ... Closeup of the woman's face ... Closeup of the children ... Another closeup of the children ... Side views ... Back view ... From above ... From below ... Another view from below ... With a yardstick and soda can for scale.
With the other carving by the same maker, above:   Both carvings together ... Another angle ... A third view ... From above.

Some much larger photos:   African-American carving of mother and children ... Closeup of the woman's face ... Closeup of the children ... Another closeup of the children ... Side views ... Back view ... With a yardstick and soda can for scale.
With the other carving by the same maker, above:   Both carvings together ... Another angle ... A third view ... From above.

Velvet African-American quiltThis is an African-American quilt with great graphics. It is made from plain and patterned velvets and fake fur, hand pieced and appliqued onto a muslin backing to give a quilted effect without an extra layer of quilting stitches. There is no batting. The back was made in four large blocks, and unfinished edges show where these come together. This quilt measures 72" by 77" and is in excellent, unused condition. There is one discolored spot on the back that does not show through on the front. This was purchased from an African-American church sale in Savannah, GA in the 1970's. A wonderful look for hanging or on a bed. The price is $1200.00. Inventory Code: TPAK.   Velvet African-American quilt ... Closeup ... Closeup 2 ... Closeup 3 ... Closeup 4 ... Closeup 5 ... Closeup 6 ... Closeup 7 ... Back ... Closeup of back ... Second closeup of back ... Third closeup of back ... Closeup of spot on back ... Closeup of back corner.

This is a very folky cupboard that came out of an African-American church near Rutherfordton, NC. The front and sides are pine tongue and groove wood called bead. The front is decorated with carved pine trim. It is finished in a medium brown varnish which is somewhat crazed. There are three doors, each hinged at the bottom, opening into three compartments. It stands 68 1/2" high, 28" wide and 15" deep. This striking and unusual piece was made in the early 1900's. It is in very good condition, sturdy and useable. There is a small mousehole on one side, and the trim on the upper door has been replaced. The price is $4800.00. Inventory Code: AWKP.   African-American church cupboard ... 3/4 view ... 3/4 view, other side ... Closeup of the top ... Closeup of the upper door ... Closeup of the middle door ... Closeup of the lower door ... With Matt for size ... With the middle door open ... With the top two doors open ... With the bottom door open ... One side ... The other side ... Back.

Outsider art concrete faces

Here are several unusual and folky faces made from concrete and found objects then painted. These were done by Betty Davis, an outsider artist from Gonzales, TX. Each face has its own personality. These were made approximately 1999 and are in excellent condition. They are described and priced individually below.   A photo of the artist ... Larger view of all faces.

Outsider art concrete faceThis is the largest face. It is painted yellow, blue, and white. It is 19 1/2" high by 15 1/2" wide by about 1 1/2" deep. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: CCOP.   Largest face ... Side view ... From below ... Back view ... With a soda can for scale.

Outsider art concrete faceThis heart-shaped face is painted blue, red, and black, with eyes bulging out and hair standing on end. It is 11" high by 7 1/2" wide by about 2 1/4" deep. The price is $375.00. Inventory Code: CCWC.   Blue and red face, with a soda can for scale ... Side views ... Back.

Outsider art concrete facesThis is a plaque with three faces. They have colored beads for eyes. It is 7 1/2" high by 12 1/2" wide by about 2" deep. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CCOS.   Group of three faces ... Side views ... From below ... Back ... With a soda can for scale.

Outsider art concrete facesThis is a plaque with three women's faces. Two of them are wearing costume jewelry. It is 8" high by 12" wide by about 1 3/4" deep. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CCWR.   Three faces, with costume jewelry ... Side view ... From below ... Back ... With a soda can for scale.

Outsider art concrete faceThis face is painted a greenish/gray with blue/gray lips. It has rows of Phillips head screws for eyebrows. It is 11 3/4" high by 6 3/4" wide by about 2" deep. The price is $375.00. Inventory Code: CCWW.   Gray face, screws for eyebrows ... Side views ... From below ... Back ... With a soda can for scale.

Outsider art concrete faceThis face has metal discs for eyebrows, metal watch band teeth, and a tongue of either ceramic or polished stone. It is unpainted except for the lips and measures 14 1/2" high by 9" wide by about 2 3/4" deep. The price is $375.00. Inventory Code: CCWO.   Face with metal teeth, with a soda can for scale ... Side views ... From above and below ... Back.

Outsider art concrete faceThis blue face has darker blue lips and large glass or plastic marbles for eyes. The eyes were painted over, then part of the paint removed in the center. They glow when they catch the light at the right angle. It is 13 1/2" high by 10 wide by about 2" deep. The price is $375.00. Inventory Code: CCWK.   Blue face with glass eyes ... Side views ... From above and below ... Back ... With a soda can for scale.

 

 



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