OUTSTANDING CARVED STORK ON NEST ~19th C. POLYCHROME

This stork was Expertly hand carved in white pine and painted by an unknown maker sometime around the late 19th Century. It has wonderful with polychrome paint in tones of orange, green, brown, black and yellow. The beak and tongue have a gorgeous orange color that is beautifully crazed. The bottom beak is one piece with the rest of the body. The eyes are set in, and detailed with little beads that look like glass. The wings are carved in relief, along with the 'chip' carved back feathers and neck. The feet are carved into the nest and the bird and nest are mounted onto the bottom piece. The entire carving has a wonderful old patina.

We came across a like carving of a Magpie in the "Sotheby's Important Americana, New York January 28, 29 and 30, 1988" auction catalogue; item #1560. We have pictured both the book and the image of the Magpie in this listing. The carving style, nest and bottom board are so similar that we are quite confident in calling this the same maker. The base of the magpie carving has a 'groove' in the back that can be seen in the photo. The stork carving has this same 'groove,' and while we are unsure of it's purpose, if any, it almost acts as a signature in comparing these two birds. We have also pictured the description of the Magpie that Sotheby's sold, along with the estimated price of $3,000 to $4,000.

The Stork is in Good Condition. There is an old mend to the right leg about 1 1/4 inch above the foot. There is a tiny separation where each foot meets each leg, indicating that there is probably a wire connecting each leg to the nest. There are two rough spots, one on the left breast and one on the left side of the head, as pictured, that appear to be rough spots in the wood or putty filled in before the stork was painted; otherwise there are a few inconsequential nicks. It measures 11 inches tall from the base to the top to the neck. The body of the stork measures 8 inches from forehead to tip of tail. The base measures 5 1/4 inches by 3 1/4 inches.
This is one of the finest pieces of American Folkart we have ever offered.

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