Exceptional Carnival Knockdowns

Circa: 1900-1920
Size: 19" (h) x 7 1/2" (w) each


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I first saw these large knockdowns when I walked into the office of the legendary collector Mickey Baton. As he spoke to me, I had trouble listening to anything he said, as they had my full attention.

Each of these large and expressionistically painted knockdowns has its brut personality. They have an early Jackson Pollock palette and line quality, à la "The She-Wolf." Their in-use paint history is analogous to the working and reworking of expressionist painters.

The large lollipop forms have lead-weighted eyes that would roll back when it took a bean bag to the head.

Mickey and Jill Baton, the portmanteau of the "Marvill collection," formed the most enviable and extensive collection of edgy American Folk Art. Frank Maresca, their closest dealer, called them "fearless."

These knockdowns were handmade as part of a small run, not part of a larger industry that supplied regional carnivals with cast iron targets and knockdown figures.

Provenance: Ricco/Maresca, Marvill Collection

Pictured and discussed in American Vernacular, page 91.

HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES AVAILABLE.

Condition: Excellent with expected wear from age and use.

Price: $9,800.00

ALL ITEMS GUARANTEED AS REPRESENTED