Folk Art, Parasol, Carved Pine, Antique, Early 20th Century

Parasol Sculpture
American, English or Continental: Early 20th Century
Carved pine, shellacked
26.5 x 3 x 3 inches
$925

Finely carved folk art wood sculpture in the form of a closed parasol or umbrella whimsy (or whimsey). This category of antiques generally generally includes whimsical objects made by artisans from leftover or found materials including wood, metal and whale bone. Often they were made by sailors in their spare time aboard a ship, such as puzzles, wooden chains, and loose balls in open rectangle frames. This sculpture could also be said to be a trompe-l’oeil object, a tour de force of realism that presents a convincing illusion of a full-sized operable umbrella.

Condition: Generally very good with the usual overall wear, shrinkage, and aging to the wood and finish.

Reference:

Pope-Hennessey, John (introduction). The Encyclopedia of Antiques. New York: Greenwich House, 1982. pp. 370-371.