Two Hard Wood Folk Art Portrait Canes

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Masterpiece Cane Auction

By Kimball Sterling

May 24, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-05-24 11:00:00 2025-05-24 11:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Masterpiece Cane Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/kimball-sterling/masterpiece-cane-auction-19479
A European Masterpiece Cane Auction Kimball Sterling kimballsterling@earthlink.net

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• Lot Description
  Ca. 1900 The First, on this page, crafted with care, features a substantial hardwood branch stripped of its bark, culminating in a natural bulb that serves as a knob. The latter depicts a massive man's head with a broad neck adorned with the fashionable short hairstyle of the time and complemented by an imperial beard. Dark stains accentuate the hair, eyes, and beard on the head, while intricate flamed scrolls adorn the shaft. The scrolls begin with a gentle breeze and become increasingly dense as they descend. The second, on the opposite page, made of a knobby blackthorn branch, also portrays a man’s head on the integral knob. Well-carved, it shows the face of a younger man with sideburns wearing a beret. His slightly raised chin, unwavering gaze, and tightly pressed lips convey the essence of a soldier amid a parade. A dark stain highlights the hair, and the snugly fitting beret around the head reveals the remaining red paint. While neither cane has ferrules, the latter features a braided leather loop. Both canes, folk art and social history pieces, have aged well, showcasing beautifully untouched and mature surfaces. The first cane's animated imagery is a century ahead of its time, reminiscent of Keith Haring's Pop Art, which arose from the New York City graffiti subculture in the 1980s and became a globally recognized visual language. For the second, specialist scholarly research may lead to accurate identification, notably on the red beret. H. 3” x 1 ¾”, O.L. 36 ½” H. 2 ½” x 2 ¼”, O.L. 32 ¾” $300-$400 Created by generally untrained, though not unskilled hands, folk art is free from constraints such as classical proportions, academic perspective, and figural idealism, resulting in simple, direct honesty. Often using striking shapes, textures, and bold colors, this work has become a favorite among those who appreciate minimalism and abstract art. This clientele usually differs from those who purchase mainstream antiques. Folk art also reflects the fundamental ideas and customs that shape lifestyles. Religion, a sense of patriotism for one's country, contentment with daily life, or an appreciation for nature can serve as these foundations.
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