Whimsey Carvings, Bottle Whimseys - Page 2

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Whimsy carving
Whimsy carving

 
peach pit pin
Peach pit basket pin
Ball in cage whimsy
Delicate ball in cage
Bottle whimsey
French orchard workers
in a bottle
Fred Bowerman carving
Carved "fidget stick"
by Fred Bowerman
Croc O Mower
"Croc O Mower" mechanical toy
Dresser in bottle whimsy - one of a pairDresser in bottle whimsy - one of a pair
Pair of bottle whimsies by the same maker
Bottle Whimsy
Bottle whimsy with crosses
Large hanging vase whimsy carving
Large hanging vase
whimsy carving
Ship in bottle whimsey
Ship in bottle whimsey
Tricycle in bottle whimsey
Tricycle in bottle whimsey
3 balls in cage
Three balls in a cage
Towel holder
22" Whimsey carved towel holder
Whimsey carving
Whimsey carving
Whimsey carving
Ball in cage with swivel
5 balls in cage
5 balls in 5 cages, from NC, 1920's

 
Whimsey chain
Whimsey chain

 
Ball in cage whimsey
Fancy ball in cage whimsey

 
Whimsey carving
Pliers with
ball in cage
Whimseys Page 1         Carvings

Fred Bowerman carvingThis 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].

Dresser in bottle whimsy - one of a pairDresser in bottle whimsy - one of a pairHere 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.

Whimsey carvingThis 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.

Whimsey carvingThis 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.

Bottle WhimsyThis 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.

Whimsey carvingThis 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.

Tricycle in bottle whimseyThis is a large and fun bottle whimsey of a tricycle contained in a one gallon bottle. It is in very good condition and sturdy for shipping. The bottle is 12" by 6" in diameter. The tricycle is glued in place so the bottle can be upright. The construction does not seem too old, maybe done within the last 20 years or so. It certainly is unusual. The price is $125.00. Inventory Code: TTRA.   Tricycle in bottle whimsey ... The other side ... Bottle upright ... Another angle ... From above ... From below ... Top of bottle ... Bottom of bottle.

Large hanging vase whimsy carvingThis 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.

This is a whimsey carved towel holder. It has a ball and cage at each end, and three freely turning rings. Between the rings are carved the words "The Old Towl Roller, Carved in 1934, Made in 1869". It is carved from a hardwood, possibly walnut, with a varnish finish. The size is 22" long by 1 1/2" in diameter, and is in excellent condition. The price is $185.00. Inventory Code: ATPT.   Image ... Closeup ... Another closeup.

Ship in bottle whimseyThis is a complex bottle whimsey which contains a large detailed ship in a port with several buildings and cranes. The bottle is about 12" long by 3 1/2" in diameter and is almost filled with this assemblage. It is on a base with the name "Bremerhafen." The ship has a German flag and the bottle is marked in German. This piece likely was made in the last 50 years, but is not new. It is in excellent sturdy condition. The price is $350.00. Inventory Code: TTKH.   Ship in bottle whimsey ... Closeup of bow ... Closeup of middle ... Closeup of stern ... From above ... Back ... Another view from behind ... End view ... The other end ... From below.

Croc O MowerThis is a wonderful, hand made folk art mechanical toy. The "Croc o Mower" is built from wood, with intricate burned decoration. The steering wheel turns the front headlight and wheels from side to side. Rolling the mower causes the crocodile head to snap its jaws - watch the video to see. Inscriptions include "1.3 Dino-Power", "Watch Out For Flower Beds", "Use Only Hi-Test BugOSaur Juice", and much more. The seat is covered with leather, and the croc has reflective red plastic eyes. The size is 7 1/4" long by about 6 1/4" wide by 3 1/2" high. It is in excellent condition, not signed or dated, but probably from the last quarter of the 20th c. The price is $175.00. Inventory Code: CHSC.   "Croc o Mower" ... Front view, mouth open ... Front, mouth closed ... Another angle ... From above ... Other side from above ... Side view ... Back view ... Back, from above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action.
Some much larger photos:   "Croc o Mower" ... Front view, mouth open ... Front, mouth closed ... Another angle ... From above ... Other side from above ... Side view ... Back view ... Back, from above ... From below ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action.

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.

Bottle whimseyThis 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.

Whimseys Page 1         Carvings

 

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