Folk Art from Found Objects

Bottle cap rabbits jazz band	Robot made from found objects	Large yard art robot and animated birdhouse man	Match stick art horse
Found object metal dog sculpture	Hand made dipper from tin sign	Bottle cap pitcher	Metal found object farm chair
Part of a collection of robots made from found objects		Iron valve wheels	Folky metal trade sign with rooster, found objects
Part of a collection of very detailed telephone wire model cars by Clifton Eugene Dale of Galax, VA		John Henry railroad whirligig	Framed collection of brushes
Large colorful man from chain, car parts, etc.	Chicken, hats, and pillow crocheted from plastic bags	Birch bark vase	Peach pit basket whimsy pin
Page 2 of Folk Art from Found Objects

This is a metal chair made from objects found around the farm. The seat is a large pitchfork, the back is a disk from a cultivator. There are three horseshoes worked in, along with chain and other machine or wagon parts. While it has rockers and does rock, the tendency is to sit still on the rear stops. It has very nice old black and yellow paint. The chair measures 29" high by 21" wide by 28" deep. It is in very good, useable condition with minor paint wear, from the 1930's or 40's. The price is $675.00. Inventory Code: TPHH.   Metal found object chair ... Front view ... One side ... The other side ... Closeup of back and seat ... Closeup of lower front ... Closeup, one side ... Closeup, other side ... Another overall view ... Back view ... From above.

Here is a collection of funky, folky robots made from a whimsical assortment of found objects. They are by Pennsylvania folk artist Kent Greenbaum, initialed and sometimes dated. These were made in the 21st c. from older parts. Each one is named and numbered, with its own personality. They are priced individually, with a discount for a group.

This white robot is "R126 PAK". It has six arms made from coiled metal that can be moved and bent into almost any position. Two of the arms have large fishhooks dangling from the ends. Its head is made from an electrical fitting. The chest is decorated with costume jewelry and a metal insignia that reads "Ever Forward". The base is unpainted wood. It is 10 1/4" high by approximately 10" wide by about 5" deep, depending on how you position the arms. The condition is excellent. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: CKHC.   White robot with six arms, with a soda can for scale ... Another angle ... Third view ... Closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... From below.

This is "RN5 ZAP", with a red wood and gray metal body and a reflector on its head. The arms are coiled metal that can be moved and bent into almost any position. The chest has copper wiring, a small light bulb, and a metal insignia that reads "Let's Go". The base is unpainted wood. It is 8 3/4" high by about 7" wide by about 5" deep, depending on how you position the arms. The condition is excellent. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: CKHP.   Red and silver robot ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

This blue robot is "R21 Conducta". It has something of a fishing theme, with a cork head that swivels, moveable arms made from fishing lures, and a box with fish hooks. There is a metal insignia on its chest that reads "Conducta" with scales of justice and crossed spears. The base is a box of playing cards. It is 9" high by 4" wide by about 4" deep depending on where the arms are positioned. The condition is excellent. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: CKCR.   Blue robot, with a soda can for scale ... Another angle ... A third view ... Closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... From below.

This green robot is "R19 Capper". Its arms are bottle openers, one marked "Pabst Blue Ribbon", the other "Ortlieb's Premium Beer". The head is topped with a fishing reel crank. The chest has a red knob marked "Clear", a piece of costume jewelry, and a metal insignia with a plane inside stylized wings. The base is unpainted wood. It stands 10" high by 2 3/4" by 2 3/4", in excellent condition. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: CKHA.   Green robot ... Front view, with a soda can for scale ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... From below.

This red robot is "R39 Prop". It has a propeller on its back that spins, a sliding metal latch on front, and moveable arms. Electrical wire makes a halo around its head. The base is a box of cards. It is 8 1/2" high by 3 1/2" wide by about 3" deep, in excellent condition. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: CKCK.   Red robot ... Front view, with a soda can for scale ... Another angle ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... From below.

This black robot is "R15 Turbiac". Both arms are moveable and the brass head turns. There is an "AMVETS American Veterans of World War II" medallion on its chest. The base is made from four wooden blocks glued to a square of corrugated cardboard. The size is 10 1/2" high by 4" wide by about 5" deep. It is in excellent condition. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: CKHS.   Black robot, with a soda can for scale ... Another angle ... Third view ... Closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... From below.

This blue robot is "RN9 Coil". There is a heavy copper coil and a metal insignia marked "United States Army Communications Command" on its chest. The arms are moveable, and the legs are also coils. The base is unpainted wood. It is 9 1/2" high by 2 5/8" wide by about 5" deep, in excellent condition. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: CKHT.   Blue robot ... Front view, with a soda can for scale ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view.

This yellow robot is "R16 Spotter". The arms are drawing compasses with sharp points. There is a metal military insignia on its chest. It is mounted on a box of "Scorpio" playing cards. The height is 9 1/2" by 3 1/2" wide by 2 1/2" deep, in excellent condition. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: CKCO.   Yellow robot ... Front view, with a soda can for scale ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... From below.

Here is a group of seven old iron industrial valves. We have not seen them before other than in use. They probably are from the 1940's or earlier, and are in four sizes. The diameters are 7 1/2 inches, 8 inches, 9 inches, 14 inches. They range from 1 inch to 1 3/4 inches thick. Prices for them are $75.00 each for the smaller ones, $95.00 each for the 9" ones, and $110.00 for the largest. Price for the group is $575.00 Inventory Code: TCWK.   Iron valve wheels ... Another view, with a ruler for scale ... The other side of all ... Side view ... The largest valve ... Closeup of one medium and one smaller valve ... The smallest valve.

This is a very nice, old "make-do" dipper, made from a tin sign which still has the remnants of stamped letters. It is attached to a hand carved wood handle through a slit in the end and held by a nail through both handle and metal. The dipper has slits cut so liquid could drain out. This primitive piece was probably made in the early 1900's. It came from the upper Midwest, is in very good, old used condition, and is about 14" long with a width of 7" to the clam shell shaped metal. The price is $150.00. Inventory Code: TOKH.   Hand made dipper ... Side and back views ... Another side view ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... Closeup of back ... Another closeup of the back ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

This is a pitcher made from bottle caps, with a large can lid for the bottom. It has very good form, and is painted a dark, oxidized gold. This is an older piece, made from cork-lined caps. You can just make out that one or two of the caps are from Coca-Cola. The pitcher is in very good condition with minor paint wear. It stands 7 1/4" high by 11" long by 7" wide. The price is $275.00. Inventory Code: TCHC.   Bottle cap pitcher ... Side view ... The other side ... From above ... Two front views ... Back view ... From below ... Closeup from above ... Closeup from below.

This is an unusual folk art wall piece. It has the image of a horse made from cut match sticks glued over plywood, with a rhinestone for an eye. The horse is surrounded by four rectangular frames and two round medallions. It is finished in crazed black paint and several shades of stain, with clear lacquer or varnish. The size is 12 1/2" high by 25 3/4" wide by 1/2" thick. Age is from the second half of the 20th century. The condition is very good, with minor loss on the corners and a couple of replaced match sticks. The price is $375.00. Inventory Code: COTH.   Match stick horse ... Closeup of horse ... Closeup, one corner ... Second corner ... Third corner ... Fourth corner ... Side view ... The other side ... From above and below ... Back view ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Match stick horse ... Closeup of horse ... Closeup, one corner ... Second corner ... Third corner ... Fourth corner ... Side view ... The other side ... From above and below ... Back view ... With a soda can for scale.

This is a folky butcher's trade sign. It is hand made from metal tools and found objects, with a sheet metal rooster on top. Ice tongs form part of the frame. It has worn silver paint with areas of surface rust. Red and black decoration was added on one side. From the first half of the 1900's, it measures 30" high by 22" wide by about 5" deep at the tong handles, in very good, weathered condition. The price is $1500.00. Inventory Code: CCRS.   Folky butcher's trade sign ... Closeup ... The other side ... Side views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Folky butcher's trade sign ... Closeup ... The other side ... Side views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale.

This is larger than many of the other vehicles and is more of a limousine than a car. It has 6 wheels, side doors, and is made from blue, black, and red wires. This piece is about 18" long by 5 1/2" wide by 7" high. The price is $225.00. Inventory Code: CSHK.   Telephone wire limousine by Clifton Eugene Dale ... Another angle ... The other side ... Fourth view ... Closeup of detail ... Front views ... Back view ... From above and below ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Telephone wire limousine by Clifton Eugene Dale ... Another angle ... The other side ... Fourth view ... Closeup of detail ... Front views ... 360° video.

This car is constructed of red, blue, and black wire. It is about 11 1/2" long by 5 1/2" wide by 8" high. The price is $225.00. Inventory Code: CSWP.   Car made from telephone wire ... Another angle ... Front view ... Back view ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale ... 360° video.

This white touring car is large and very detailed. It is about 13" long by 7" high by 6 1/2" wide and has a vinyl top covering the rear seat, with a "spare tire" on one side. The price is $225.00. Inventory Code: TWOS.   Telephone wire car ... Side view ... The other side ... Front view ... Another front view ... Back view ... Another back view ... From above ... Top view ... From below ... With a soda can for scale ... Three cars together ... Front view of three ... 360º video.

This green, blue, white, and black car has seats at both ends opening in to the center (a reversible tourer?). It is well built with lots of nice detail and is also in very good condition. This car is about 11" long by 5 1/2" wide by 5 1/2" high. The price is $175.00. Inventory Code: TWOP.   Model touring car ... Side view ... The other side ... Another angle ... Front views ... Back views ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale ... Three cars together ... Front view of three ... 360º video.

This boxy green car seems to represent an early vehicle. It also is very detailed, including a lever for steering instead of a wheel, and is almost as tall as long. The car is 8 1/2" long by 8" high by 4 1/4" wide. It is in very good condition also. The price is $150.00. Inventory Code: TWOA.   Model car ... Side view ... The other side ... Front views ... Back view ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale ... Three cars together ... Front view of three ... 360º video.

This is a whirligig of John Henry working on the railroad. It was made by Ed Smith of Conover, NC. The carved, jointed figure goes up and down, hammering on the track as the blades turn. There is a plastic model box car on the track, and the blades are Conover license plates from 1978. The tail is a somewhat battered piece of sheet metal painted white on one side. The whirligig is 45" long by 27" across the blades. The man is 10 1/4" tall. As mounted on the wooden display base, it is about 28" high to the top of his head, or 33" to the top of the blade. It was made c. 1985, and is in very good, weathered condition. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CAKH.   John Henry whirligig ... With blades turned ... Closeup of the figure ... The other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Another closeup of the man ... Closeup, one side ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup from behind ... Closeup of blades ... Closeup of the boxcar ... Closeup of the tail ... Other side of the tail ... With a yardstick and soda can for scale ... Video of the action [5.7 Mb].
Some much larger photos:   John Henry whirligig ... With blades turned ... Closeup of the figure ... The other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Another closeup of the man ... Closeup, one side ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup from behind ... Closeup of blades ... Closeup of the boxcar ... Other side of the tail ... With a yardstick and soda can for scale ... Video of the action [5.7 Mb].

This is an unusual and decorative framed collection of brushes. There is a wide variety of styles, types, and materials. The brushes range in age from the early 1900's to the 60's or 70's. They have been mounted with fine wire to a wood backdrop, set in an older frame. The individual brushes go from 5 1/2" to 15" long. The frame is 22" high by 28" wide by 1 1/2" deep. The price is $275.00. Inventory Code: TOOC.   Framed collection of brushes ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... Side views ... From above ... Back view ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Framed collection of brushes ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... Side views ... From above ... Back view ... With a soda can for scale.

An extraordinary Metal man, about 4 feet high and 39" wide, made from found objects, including chains, fuel pump for heart, distributor, springs, reflectors, gears, and more. He was a mailbox holder. This sculpture came from New Hampshire, and was made in the 1950's. It is in excellent, older condition, with beautiful old polychrome paint. The price is $3,500.00. Inventory code: ASRP.   Image ... Closeup of head ... Back view ... Closeup of body ... Closeup of arms and legs ... Closeup of head and upper torso.

Here is a whole collection of pieces crocheted from plastic bags and bread wrappers from the late 20th c.   Larger photo of all.

First off is a really fun, three-dimensional chicken with lots of character and personality. It has button eyes, wings that stick out, and is stuffed with more plastic. It is about 15" long by 7" wide by 8" high, in very good condition with slight fraying on the tail feathers. The price is $225.00. Inventory Code: TKCO.   Plastic bag chicken ... From above ... Front view ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Plastic bag chicken ... From above ... Front view ... With a soda can for scale.

This is a very nice railroad-style cap with a black imitation leather band. It is very tightly made, in excellent condition, about 9" long by 7" wide by 4" high. The price is $145.00. Inventory Code: TRKT.   Plastic bag crocheted hat, with a soda can for scale ... Side view ... From above.
Some much larger photos:   Plastic bag crocheted hat, with a soda can for scale ... Side view ... From above.

This hat is very tightly worked so that it holds its shape and is not very flexible. It is decorated with a red ribbon. It measures 12" long by 11" wide by 5" high, in excellent condition except for the visible fraying of the ribbon ends. The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: TKHS.   Second hat, with a soda can for scale ... Back view.
Some much larger photos:   Second hat, with a soda can for scale ... Back view.

This hat is 12 1/2" in diameter by about 5" high, fairly loose and flexible, in excellent condition. The price is $75.00. Inventory Code: TKCR.   Third hat ... Other side ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Third hat ... Other side ... With a soda can for scale.

This hat is also fairly loose and flexible, 12 1/2" in diameter by about 5 1/2" high in excellent condition. The price is $75.00. Inventory Code: TKCK.   Fourth hat ... Other side ... Closeup ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Fourth hat ... Other side ... Closeup ... With a soda can for scale.

A small round pillow covered with a crocheted cover made from bread bags. It is 12" in diameter and in perfect condition. The price is $45.00. Inventory Code: AWOH. Side view ... Top view.

This is a birch bark vase, possibly made about the 1930's as a souvenir. It has bent wood hoops and scalloped decoration around the top and bottom, and is initialled "KH" in pencil. The condition is fairly good with a couple of cracks in the bark. It stands 9 1/4" high by 7 1/4" by 7 1/2". The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: COTA.   Birch bark vase ... Other side, with a soda can for scale ... Third view ... Fourth view ... Closeup, with initials ... Another closeup ... From above ... From above, showing crack ... From below.

This whimsy pin is a carved peach leaf with three dangling baskets carved from peach pits. The baskets are attached with hand made copper wire loops. The leaf is 3 1/2" wide, each basket is about 1" high, and the overall height is 2 1/4". A safety pin is attached to the back for wearing. It is from the early 1900's, has a nice surface and patina, and is in very good condition. We took a photo in a frame with no glass to show what it would look like, but this is NOT framed or matted. The frame can be purchased with the whimsy for $10.00 more. You will need to mat and mount it yourself. The price is $95.00. Inventory Code: ATCS.   Peach pit whimsy pin ... Back ... As it would look in a frame.

This is a dog sculpture made from iron found objects. The head turns from side to side, and the tail is a spring that wags. It has large nuts for eyes and feet, and looks like a happy dog. The surface is unpainted, dark and oxidized. There is what looks like a welded signature on the side of one leg, but we can't make it out. The size is 14" high by 5 1/2" wide by about 12" long. It is in excellent condition. Age is unknown, probably mid-20th century. The price is $350.00. Inventory Code: CKCP.   Found object metal dog sculpture ... Another angle ... With the head turned ... Front view ... Side view ... The other side ... Closeup of the head ... Closeup of legs and signature ... Back view ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the motion.

This is a wonderfully folky set of rabbit musicians made from bottle caps and found objects. There is a piano, drums, banjo, base, saxophone, and one rabbit who is singing and/or directing. The ears, tails, arms, and legs are bottle caps folded in half. Their whiskers are wire, the noses are tiny screws painted red at the tips. There are several larger plastic caps in the drum set, and the black keys on the piano are short lengths of heavy wire. Each figure is free standing, they can be rearranged on the wooden base. The individual rabbits range from about 5" to 6" tall. The wooden base is 11 1/2" wide by 9 1/4" deep, with the upper platform 4 3/4" high. The age appears to be c. 1970's. The condition is good. The platform the drummer sits on has lost some sequins, and a couple of the bottle cap feet appear to have been replaced. The price is $1200.00. Inventory Code: CCCP.   Bottle cap rabbits jazz band ... Another angle ... A third view ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... From above ... Another view from above ... The rabbits off of the base ... Closeup of 3 rabbits ... Closeup from back ... Closeup of the other three ... The other three from back ... With a soda can for scale.

This folk art robot was made from found objects, including cans, spoons, a bucket, bottle caps, a funnel, and other objects. It is painted gold which has oxidized and taken on a rich dark surface over the years. The hands are made from large metal spoons or ladles, and the feet are from sardine cans. The robot has a bolt and heavy metal wire coming out of the head for hanging. It is in very good, typically used condition. While the age is unknown it certainly is not recent, and looks like it was probably made in the 1950's or 60's. It is about 38" high by 17" wide by 10" deep. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: TOSA.   Robot made from found objects ... Side views ... Back view ... Closeup of the head ... Closeup from the side ... Closeup of the body ... Closeup of the feet.
Some much larger photos:   Robot made from found objects ... Side views ... Back view ... Closeup of the head ... Closeup from the side ... Closeup of the body.

These two large and funky yard art people have great character. One also doubles as a birdhouse. They have log torsos with hinged wood arms and legs, plywood feet, and faces highlighted with paint and found objects. They are both in excellent, weathered condition, and could be as old as the 1950's or 60's or might be a little bit more recent, but nicely weathered and not new. They were made in Minnesota. They are priced separately, with a discount for the pair.   Both yard art log people ... Front view ... The other side ... In the yard. Following are individual details and photos.

The first one has a robot face made from found objects, with a plywood cap topped by a red light bulb in a ceramic socket. His expression seems dismayed. He has a blue hat, brown feet, and blue and yellow paint on his face. He measures 46" high when stretched out. Seated, as he is in the photos, he is 37" high from his feet to the top of his light bulb. He is about 12" wide, and 11" deep (21" deep when seated). The price is $750.00. Inventory Code: TPST.   Man with light bulb hat ... Closeup ... Front view ... The other side ... Second closeup of face ... Closeup of face from front ... Closeup of upper body and head ... Closeup from side ... Closeup of body ... From above ... Another view from above ... With Matt, for scale.

The second person has a mechanism to make his tongue go in and out, and his eyes pop out and back. It works by turning the knob on the side of his face. His head is also a birdhouse, with a hole in the back. He has a painted plywood face, and blue hat and feet. He measures about 46" high overall, 39" high when seated. He is 13" wide, and 11" deep (22" deep seated). The price is $750.00. Inventory Code: TPSC.   Birdhouse man ... Closeup, tongue out, eyes in ... Closeup, tongue in, eyes out ... Front view ... The other side ... Another closeup ... Closeup of body ... Back ... Closeup of back ... Closeup from front ... Animation of action.

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