OBJECTS / SCULPTURE:

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hodgepodge noun
hodge·podge | \ ˈhäj-ˌpäj \
: a heterogeneous mixture : JUMBLE

Some define "hodgepodge" as a confused mixture. Ignore that and go with the definition above "a heterogeneous (or diverse) mixture." As one is exposed to more art and is receptive to expanding beyond one's preconceived notions or a tight focus, ones aesthetic evolves and lets art from one period or genre overlap with another—either in complement or contrast.

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A dynamic carving of a nude male and female embraced in a kiss with the man’s hand on her upper thigh. She is not resisting, but her slight push may be a signal to slow it down a bit.

Carvings as such in limestone are quite rare in that this small sculpture packs a lot of life into the stone. The work is carved in-the-round, and the figures have remarkable tension between them.

Though the work has elements not found on the carvings of William Edmondson, it certainly has some stylistic similarities.

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A complex folk art tableau of the Sacred Family; Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus. Made out of crate wood, the carved and painted figures and elobotate platform were carved by an Italian-American in New York.

Provenance: Hill Gallery, David Wheatcroft, Peter Brams

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After serving in WWI, Hall returned to Georgia and worked as a hotel bell captain, a sorority house busboy and then as a fabricator of concrete blocks for a construction company. It was here that Hall found himself again—working with his hands.

He began making concrete sculpture around his home. His sculpture combined a mix of Christianity with an African conjuring culture that empowered objects with protective powers.

Concrete works from Hall's creative environment rarely come to the market.

Provenance: Hill Gallery, David Wheatcroft, Peter Brams

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Large one piece carved sculpure of remarkable character and surface. The hefty bear is down on all fours with one hind leg coming through to the front.

Based on extensive experinece with both Woodlands carvings and "white man" folk art, I am inclined to believe that this exquisite carving was carved my a Mesquakie / Meskwaki native (who had a presence in Iowa). The sensitivity of line, character and wood surface are hallmarks of reference and both the creature and craft.

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A Rare Mechanical Black-Bellied Plover Decoy by Nathaniel Wales & Snow, Boston, MA, circa: 1868. Based on the Wales patent of 1868, the wings are fabricated from cardboard and canvas and a cord weaves through the wood carved body. Stamped “WALES & SNOW PATENT.”

Provenance: Stephen O’Brien Jr. Fine Arts, Peter Brams Collection.

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Who doesn’t love a rebus—even if its just a short one. Unusual stoneware bottle with a three dimensional and realistically glazed eye ball sticking out of one side with the word “opener” below it and a minstrel-like figure dancing on the other side.

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An unusual and graphically strong and vibrant American Folk Art hooked rug. It has a very contempory aesthetic and feels like a precursor of early Pop Artist Dorothy Grebenak.

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A fascinating and mysterious carving with nine hands around the stick, interspersed with carpentry tools and lizards. The top has a conjoined shorebird feeding its young and a dog’s head.

Though the meaning is not known—the tools and hands make me think of “helping hands.” Or from a different perspective, the religious act of “laying on of hands.”

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A group of thirteen erotic “Barbie” figures each hand-modeled and painted and some with applied hair to the genitals. The standing figure in the center in the primitive red bikini is likely modeled after Raquel Welch and her fur bikini from One Million Years BC.

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A rare full figural, life sized, Palmist / Fortune Teller / Tarot Cards Sign. Graphically bold in red, white and black paint with a large red hear and bold black question mark (?). First rate surface.

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A rare Hopi dance mask (Kachina) made from hide, trade textile and earth pigments. Comes with custom wall mount so it appears to float on the wall.

Provenance: John Molloy Indian Arts; Peter Brams Collection

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An overt twist on the traditional enamel or cowry shell pewter or silver mounted snuff box (and an overtly erotic versus concealed).

A few years ago, I had a similar example with glazed pubic hair—“unshaven” it is slightly more abstract and looks like a Hindu yoni graphic—which, of course represents the vulva.

SOLD

A striking and unexpected piece - quite large also. Though I have never seen another in the wild, a museum in Sussex, England has a couple related ceramic hedgehogs.

Provenance: Alastair Martin, The Guennol Collection

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Carved from the solid of oak these dynamic carvings have a truly elegant design—with open carving throughout—the dog's tails curve around and under each of their bodies—and the open-work "gills" behind the dogs make for a superb piece of sculpture.

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Here's a cool well weathered and worn sign. Constructed from the top of an old blanket chest (ghost marks from big strap hinges visible) and a duck decoy (cut in half), this sign served as marker for an old duck hunting guide. Old losses as visible in the photo with a great crazed paint surface.

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A really great, well cast, iron face of Columbia (the historical name used to describe the Americas and the New World).

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Made by Miller Iron Company, Providence, RI. A very cool and beautiful birdhouse in excellent condition. The details are remarkable—it is quite an amazing job of casting. The house still stands today (no, I have not knocked on their door to see if they want to buy it :)

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A gogotte is a millions years old naturally shaped mineral concretion formed of tiny quartz fragments held together by calcium carbonate. Principally found in Fontainebleau, France, these mother-nature made sculptures have inspired artists from Jean Arp, Henry Moore and Louise Bourgeois. Louis XIV favored them and the have been exhibited at Versailles since the late 17thC.

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A family of eight concrete dolls. Found as a group in Iowa, these “dolls” are unique and mysterious. Sensational surfaces.

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A very large and artful incidence of ancient Khmer vases, vessels and celadon bowls haphazardly fused together. An exhilarating work on the round—like a George Ohr / Peter Voulkos / Ai Weiwei mash-up!!

Provenance: Doris Wiener Gallery, 1981.

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A mysterious fish-tailed figure constructed of plywood and inlaid with hundreds of mirror slivers. The head is irregularly shaped, more fish or alien than human. But, the body is slender and anthropomorphic with broad shoulders and thin arms. A wave at the base makes it look as if the figure is emerging from the water.

Though its original purpose or creator has been lost to time, it remains a compelling and beautiful sculpture.

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A really great, fairly large scale folk art carving of a woman standing in a bikini. She is carved in the round and is a looker from any angle—it's exceptionally well carved.

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An exceptional example of a large Fred Alten animal. Fred Alten was a machinist in Wyandotte, Michigan and carved animals based on illustrations in Jonson’s Book of Nature. A garage full of his works was found thirty years after his death.

Provenance: Peter Brams; Barbara Johnson

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An atypical optician’s sign...looks to be made from shipping crates...the line quality of the eye-glasses and face is quite smooth and confident. McKees Rocks, PA (outside of Pittsburgh).

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Bronze marine hitching posts. Great form. Great surface. Flush wall mounts included.

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First rate example with a nice "thigh gap." Interior nut still intact (not hollowed out).

Sailors would find these floating in the ocean and had no idea where they originated from. They were carved and collected for their “femaleness.”

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Modernist sculpture with great textures from the intertwined bronze nest, the faux tree stump and the square eggs.

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Bird Family is a large work of a mother bird protecting and feeding three nestlings under her wing. The solid black granite metaphorically reinforces the strength of the matriarch, while Washington's sensitive carving conveys a certain intimacy and the fragility of life.

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Bold red painted covered carpenters tool box belonging to "W. LAYMEN" who wants you to keep your "HANDS OFF!" Yellow pinstriping and flourishes. New England origin (possibly Maine). Note size...large box...not the size of a knife carrier...much, MUCH larger.

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Though Woodchucks do not hatch from eggs, Washington successfully reminds us that all animal life begins with an egg. Regarding a similar work, a patron who upon seeing a recent work of Washington's in which a rabbit was hatching from an egg, exclaimed, "A rabbit does not come from an egg!" Washington replied, "Doctor, all life comes from an egg."

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Tintype of a woman housed in a small single carved block of wood fashioned into a pendant. Paired with a woven hair chain. Very cool and unique object.

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