Carved & Decorated Folk Art Whirligig

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Carved and Paint Decorated Peg-Leg Sailor Whirligig - Sold
Probably Coastal New England, 19th Century Folk Art
Painted pine
10 ½ and 14 ½ x 3 ¾ x 3 inches

Sailor wearing a black brimmed hat, large overcoat, undercoat with large buckle, white pants and one peg leg, on a trapezoidal base.

This wizened character, with his large overcoat and oversized buckle, is depicted in a slightly comical manner and appears braced to do battle against oncoming winds, peg-leg or not!

Sailor whirligigs are most frequently found in coastal towns and cities, which is the likely origin for this folk art example. They are frequently depicted wearing naval uniforms.

Provenance:
Collection of Howard Feldman