American Indian Whirligig

Probably New England, circa 1870
Wood, zinc, and copper with original paint. Figure height 17 inches; overall height 23 inches

This sculptural whirligig is one of a small and distinctive group attributed to an unidentified but highly accomplished maker. Characterized by its animated form and the use of zinc, copper, and tin for the figure’s ornamented attire and headdress, the work demonstrates both ingenuity and a strong decorative sensibility.

Only a handful of related examples are known, with others held in prominent institutional and private collections. The present example stands as a rare and compelling representation of this maker’s work within the American folk art tradition.

References:
Illustrated and discussed in key publications on American folk sculpture, with comparable examples documented in major collections and past auctions.