Whimsey Carvings, Bottle Whimseys

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Large, incredibly detailed inlaid fraternal whimsey	Bottle whimsy with tramp art pavilion	Framed Sports card bottle whimsey display	Early, very fine whimsey carving
		Exceptionally detailed Cuban bottle whimsy: pig roast, musicians, domino game	Second Cuban bottle whimsey: intricate house
Carved cowboy boot desk set pen holder	Early carved whimsy with unusual form like a caged jack	Whimsy carved pelican with fish	Bottle whimsey with tools
Whimsy carving	Peach pit basket pin	Delicate ball in cage	French orchard workers in a bottle
Carved "fidget stick" by Fred Bowerman	Large hanging vase whimsy carving	Pair of bottle whimsies by the same maker	Bottle whimsy with crosses
Three balls in a cage	Whimsey carving	Ball in cage with swivel
5 balls in 5 cages, from NC, 1920's	Whimsey chain	Fancy ball in cage whimsey	Pliers with ball in cage

This is an elegant carved whimsy with very fine detail, some chip carving, and a wonderful dark, alligatored surface. The ball in cage with its intricate crest was carved from a single piece of wood. It was then mounted on the base with carved steps, and the two balls on spiral pedestals added separately. The condition is excellent, with no visible loss or wear. It is 10 1/2" high by 7 1/4" by 5". The finish is a dark lacquer that has taken on a beautiful patina. It was made in the late 1800's to early 1900's. The price is $825.00. Inventory Code: CSTH.   Intricately carved whimsey ... Another angle ... Closeup of the top ... Closeup of the bottom ... Side views ... Back view ... A different angle ... Closer view of the top, showing surface ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Intricately carved whimsey ... Another angle ... Closeup of the top ... Closeup of the bottom ... Side views ... Back view ... A different angle ... Closer view of the top, showing surface ... With a soda can for scale.

This is a very intricate bottle whimsy. It contains a pavilion with carved pillars and a tramp art roof. Inside the pavilion are a table covered with a fringed cloth with a large Bible on top, a sofa and chair with green velvet upholstery and white antimacassars, and a chip-carved piano with upholstered bench. There is a heavy paper flag on a carved wood flagpole. A chip-carved crest around the flag has names written in pencil. The pavilion is pieced from lighter and darker wood strips, and the roof is painted gold. The bottle is 11" high by 4 1/2" in diameter. The condition is excellent, and the age is probably early 1900's. The price is $925.00. Inventory Code: CWHA.   Bottle whimsy ... Two sides ... Two more views ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... From above ... Another view from above ... From below ... Another view from below ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Bottle whimsy ... Two sides ... Two more views ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... From above ... Another view from above ... From below ... Another view from below ... With a soda can for scale.

Here is an extraordinary collection, assemblage, and display of eight bottle whimseys. Each of the one pint whisky bottles contains a large hand made wooden frame containing a sports trading card. All of the bottles are set on a raised shelf in a hand made, semi-circular, lighted, metal display - like a hall of fame. There is a light in front of each bottle whimsey. The base is covered in red and green felt, trimmed with black braid and brass knobs. This assemblage is 26" across, 13 1/2" deep, and 13" high. The cards include Arnold Palmer, George Foreman, Wayne Gretzky, Wilma Rudolph, Jesse Owen, Joe Montana, Pete Rose, and Michael Jordan. It is signed by the maker, Richard Kopp, on the bottom, is in excellent condition, and was constructed in 1994. The price is $1600.00. Inventory Code: AORH.   Image ... Closeup ... From above ... Lit up, in a dark room ... Bottom.

Following are photos of the individual bottles. Wilma Rudolph ... Rudolph - Back ... George Foreman ... Foreman - Back ... Wayne Gretzky ... Gretzky - Back ... Michael Jordan ... Jordan - Back ... Joe Montana ... Montana - Back ... Jesse Owens ... Owens - Back ... Arnold Palmer ... Palmer - Back ... Pete Rose ... Rose - Back.

This an extraordinary, one of a kind, folk art piece. It is a very large, extremely detailed marquetry whimsey with a fraternal theme; including many carved and inlaid elements. This has so much intricate work that more things continue be seen and be appreciated even after several viewings. We have included many pictures that will convey some of the quality of this piece; however, it will still surprise and delight even more, when held in person.

Following is just a brief description of some of what is in this piece. To be complete would take more than reasonable here. Please let your eyes tell more of the story. This work is over 49" long, 5 1/2" wide, and over 1 1/4" deep in parts. It is decorated on the sides as well as the front. It includes Crosses, Ankhs, stars, hearts, Bibles, scrolls, spears, and other Masonic, Shriner, Eastern Star, and Odd Fellows symbols. Each section is held together with carved links; and the entire length is carved from one piece of wood that was then inlaid. There is one carved ball in cage, relief carving, and a few red and white pieces of inlay. There are inlaid words, and letters; and it is decorated with a multitude of symbology. A photo, probably from a newspaper, is set in. This piece is in extremely good condition; although not completely "perfect". There is a slight crack in one link, and one link has been reglued in part. There is no loss that we can see. One section has hand painted the words "Memorial Day 1947". We would date it from that time. The back is inscribed "To Vernon Thompson for Mike". The price is $1250.00. Inventory Code: TSOH.   Inlaid fraternal whimsey ... Closeup of top section ... Another view ... Side view.
Second section: Front view ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... One side ... The other side.
Third section: Front view ... One side ... The other side.
Fourth section: Front view ... One side ... Another view ... The other side.
Bottom section: Front view ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... One side ... The other side.
The back: Upper back ... Middle back ... Lower back ... Closeup of inscription.

Here is a very interesting and unusual carved whimsy. The cage is a cube with rounded corners and circular openings on all sides. Inside is a stylized 6 pointed star, like a jack, which is free to move inside the cage. There is a square center from which radiate out long cone shaped rays. This piece is fairly old, probably from the late 1800's or turn of the century. The cage is about 2 1/4" across the sides, while the star is actually a little bit larger as the tips protrude from the cage. The lines visible in some of the photos are not cracks: they were put there by the maker, probably to line up his work as he carved. The condition is good, with a little bit of wear, some very slight loss to the wood, and some tiny holes that apparently were from nails and seem original to the piece. The price is $250.00. Inventory Code: TRPR.   Carved whimsy ... Another view ... Two more images ... Different views ... More angles ... Two more views ... With a soda can for scale ... Video in motion [4 Mb].

This is an unusual small whimsy carving of a pelican with a fish. The fish is free to turn within the pelican's beak, but can't be removed. The carving is highlighted with pencil markings for eyes and gills. It stands 2 5/8" high by 2 5/8" wide by 2 1/4" deep, with an unfinished, oxidized surface. The condition is excellent. It is from the second half of the 20th c. The price is $95.00. Inventory Code: TTOW.   Pelican whimsy carving ... Front view ... Another angle ... Side view ... The other side ... With a soda can for scale.

This is an absolutely wonderful, intricate bottle whimsey. Inside are four men playing dominoes, two musicians, and a man turning a pig on a spit over a fire. This bottle is one of a small group made in the early 2000's by Ramon Arbelo Gonzalez of Cuba. The construction is very intricate - each domino is individually carved and painted, as are the flames of the fire. The guitar is carved, with applied bridge and individual strings. Very few of his bottles include painted details. The bottle is embossed "Havana Club" and has a wooden base attached. Including the stopper and base, it is 13 1/2" long by 4" high by 3 1/4" in diameter, in excellent condition. The price is $1200.00. Inventory Code: CSRT.   Bottle whimsey with musicians, domino players, pig roast ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... Closeup from above ... Top view ... Closeup from top ... Back view ... Closeup from back ... Another closeup from back ... End view ... The other end ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Bottle whimsey with musicians, domino players, pig roast ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... Closeup from top ... Closeup from back ... Another closeup from back ... From below.

This is an extraordinary bottle whimsey of a house by Ramon Arbelo Gonzalez. The main portion of the house is a single story, with the addition of 2 two-story sections, connected by a bridge. The entire piece is done in great detail. The house rests on an open courtyard enclosed by a fence. Thread is strung through the fence posts as rails. There is an external staircase, shrubbery, and windows all around the four sides of the main house. All of the light and dark checkerboard wood which makes up the floor is actually inlaid in separate small pieces. The different colors of the squares are different kinds of wood. This is also true of the other shades of wood throughout this piece. On the bottom is inscribed information about the maker. It reads "Puky Omaja" and the town name he lived in in Cuba. The bottle is mounted on the base and is 13 3/4" long by 3" in diameter. With the base it is about 4" high. This piece was made in the early 2000's. While it is not that old, it certainly is exceptional. The entire structure is in excellent condition and can be shipped. The price is $850.00. Inventory Code: CSRC.   Exceptional house in a bottle whimsy ... Closeup ... Another closeup ... Another angle ... Closer view ... A different angle ... Closer view ... Back view ... Closeup of back ... From above ... Another view from above ... End view ... From below ... Closeup of signature ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Closeup ... Another angle ... A different angle ... Closer view ... Back view ... Closeup of back ... From above ... Another view from above ... From below.

This is a hand made and carved cowboy desk set assemblage. It has a three step base carved from a single piece of wood. It is topped by a pair of carved and decorated boots and a rectangular section with a deeply carved round receptacle area. The boots are carved out to hold pens or pencils. The center area could contain paper clips, rubber bands, or odds and ends. All the pieces are pine. The boots also have been decorated with fine inked and pencilled vines and flowers. The soles are painted or inked black. All this has then been finished in fine lacquer or varnish. The piece was likely made about the 1940's or '50's. The base is 8" wide by 6" deep. The boots are each about 4" high by 3 1/2" deep by 1 1/2" wide. The overall height is about 5 1/2". It is in excellent condition with one small chip in the finish on the base. The price is $225.00. Inventory Code: CTHO.   Carving with cowboy boots ... Side view ... Another angle ... Closeup ... The other side ... Front view ... Another view ... Back view ... From above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale.

This is a branch with a very amusing, expressive face carved into one end. The other end was cut off, the wood hollowed out, and a ball put inside. The end was then replaced carefully, so that only a thin seam shows. When the stick is tilted back and forth, the ball inside rolls with a heavy clicking sound. It's fun to fidget with. Most of the branch has a natural surface, with traces of the bark remaining; the face is painted. It measures 6 1/2" long by 1 7/8" high by 1 3/4" wide and is signed and dated "Fred Bowerman Aug. 8, 1990". The condition is very good, with a couple of small splits in the wood. The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: TKSP.   Fred Bowerman carving ... Another angle ... Front view ... Side view ... The other side, with a soda can for scale ... Back view ... From above and below ... Video of the action [3.8 Mb].
Some much larger photos:   Fred Bowerman carving ... Another angle ... Front view ... Side view ... The other side, with a soda can for scale ... Back view ... From above and below ... Video of the action [3.8 Mb].

Here are two bottle whimsies by the same maker. Each contains a dresser, painted gold, that fills the space. There is a mirror set in the back, four carved vases with silk flowers, ribbons tied around the uprights, and metal tacks for drawer pulls. Each has an inscribed date from 1918 on the back and different names: we assume the recipients rather than the maker. They are in fancy one quart bottles that are similar, but not quite identical and measure 9 3/4" high by 3" by 3".

The first bottle has a black metal cap. The bottle itself has raised lettering on two sides saying "Lemon-Horehound Rock & Rye Cordial". The inscription on the back reads "Dec 25 1918, G. A. Miller". It is in excellent condition. The price is $550.00 for this bottle, or $975.00 for the pair. Inventory Code: CWHS.   First of the pair of bottle whimsies ... Two more views ... Side and back views ... From above and below ... Both bottles, with a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   First of the pair of bottle whimsies ... Two more views ... Side and back views ... From above and below ... Both bottles, with a soda can for scale.

The second bottle has a fifth bunch of flowers on the top shelf. The bottle has no raised lettering and is closed with a cork. The inscription reads "Mary J Stubts, Feb 28 1918". There is a chip in the glass on the top rim of the bottle, otherwise the condition is excellent. The price is $550.00 for this bottle, or $975.00 for the pair. Inventory Code: CWHP.   Second of the pair of bottle whimsies ... Another angle ... Side and back views ... From above and below ... Both bottles, with a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Second of the pair of bottle whimsies ... Another angle ... Side and back views ... From above and below ... Both bottles, with a soda can for scale.

This is a nicely carved whimsy from a single piece of pine. It has a ball in cage, swivel, and chain link. One of the balls is freely moving within the cage. The other is part of the swivel mechanism: it is attached to the link above, and the cage rotates freely around it. This whimsy is in excellent condition, with a natural, oxidized surface. It is 9 3/4" long by 3/4" by 3/4". It is probably 50 years old or older. The price is $95.00. Inventory Code: TSWT.   Whimsey carving ... Another view ... Third view ... Fourth view.

This is a nicely carved whimsey combining hinged pliers with a caged ball in the handle. It is carved from one piece of pine, with an unfinished surface that has taken on a dark patina with age. It is 5" long. When the pliers are open, it is 1" wide by just over 1/2" deep. It is in very good condition, with two small chips. The price is $155.00. Inventory Code: TPAT.   Whimsey carving ... Pliers open, several angles ... Pliers closed.

This delicate whimsey with a ball-in-cage has a long circular taper to the shaft. It was made in the early 1900's, has a medium brown stain, and is in excellent condition. It is 5" long by 5/8" square. The price is $90.00. Inventory Code: APOO. Image.

This is a nice little carved wooden whimsey. It has a ball-in-cage and a freely-moving swivel captured in a second, rounded section. The whimsey is 4" long by 1" wide. The rectangular cage is 3/4" wide and deep. This was made in the 1930's, and is in excellent condition, with a natural, aged surface. The price is $110.00. Inventory Code: AOWO.   With a pen, for scale ... Second view ... Third view ... Fourth view ... Fifth view ... Sixth view.

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 bottle whimsy containing two crosses, two spear shaped uprights, and a ladder. Each cross also has an "X" shape pegged to the front. The bottle stands 11 3/4" tall by 3" in diameter and is closed with a cork. Age is unknown, but it is old, in excellent condition. The price is $175.00. Inventory Code: TCPP.   Bottle whimsy ... Two more views ... Side and back views ... From above and below ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Bottle whimsy ... Two more views ... Side and back views.

This is a carved whimsey that is very interesting in that it seems to have been a work in progress. The balls are still fixed, yet all the hard work was done, so they could have been released easily. The piece has nice form and a naturally aged and darkened surface. It was likely made in the 1940's or so, is 14" long by 1 1/4" square, and in excellent condition. The price is $110.00. Inventory Code: AKCT.   Image ... Second view ... Third view ... Fourth view ... Fifth view.

This is another nicely carved whimsey. It has a single large cage with three carved balls inside. It is carved from a dark colored wood, and is 7 3/4" long by 1 3/4" by 1 3/4". It has some age to it, and is in excellent condition. The price is $95.00. Inventory Code: ATTA.   Overall View ... Second Overall View ... Third View.

This is a large carved whimsy with a bold look. It has a two handled vase suspended by two links from a yoke. The yoke hangs from four more lengths of chain. The entire whimsy was carved from a single piece of wood with a smooth, medium natural surface. It measures 22" long by 4 3/4" wide by 2" deep and is in excellent condition. It was probably made in the 1930's or 40's. The price is $275.00. Inventory Code: TRPC.   Large hanging vase whimsy carving ... Front and back views ... Side views ... Closeups ... Two more closeups ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale.
Some much larger photos:   Front and back views ... Closeup.

Here is a special whimsy carving. It has five balls in 5 cages and a rounded, tapering handle. The workmanship is good, and it is made from well-oxidized pine. Probably made around the 1920's, it was found in North Carolina. There is no finish on the surface, but there is a nice patina on the handle. It is in excellent condition, and measures 14" long by 1" by 7/8". The price is $185.00. Inventory Code: ATCP.   Overall View ... Second Overall View ... End View ... Closeup.

This carved whimsy chain is 16" long by 1 1/2" by 1 1/2". It is old, with an unfinished surface oxidized to a dark color. The condition is excellent. The price is $95.00. Inventory Code: AACC.   Image ... Another Image.

This is a carver's whimsy with rosette ends and an elongated ball-in-cage. It is probably from the 1930's-40's, with an unfinished old surface. There is a very small chip in one rosette. Otherwise it is in excellent condition. It is 5 5/8" long, and 3/4" square. The price is $110.00. Inventory Code: APOW.   Image.

This is a French bottle whimsey with two orchard workers picking apples. There is a tree with apples on it, and a basket of apples on the ground. It is built in a cut glass bottle that is filled with water. It stands 9 1/2" high by 3 7/8" in diameter, and is in excellent condition. The price is $195.00. Inventory Code: TTKC.   Bottle whimsey ... Side with labels ... Closeup ... Another overall view ... Side view ... Three more views ... Closeup of upper label ... From above.

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