One of the Best Folk Art Fakes of All Time

[jacon4]

It’s one of the best folk art fakes of all time. It fooled them all: dealers, curators, vetters, journalists, and more.  Story at the link

https://www.maineantiquedigest.com/stories/fake-civil-war-masterpiece-a-tale-of-two-photographs/6819

[Rauville]

Some years ago I would make folk art style articles, mostly for my own amusement. One item was a large complex whirligig, comprised of a fisherman on the back of a bare breasted mermaid.
I had it on "display only" in my shop, until I got talked out of it by a dealer from NY state. He wooed me with a tale as to how he collected whirligigs regardless of age.
It wasn't but a few weeks later that "my" whirligig showed up as a half-page ad in the latest issue of MAD. The description included a fantastical story as to how it was discovered in long closed Midwest museum, and most likely was made by a recluse craftsman, now long deceased.

[ghopper1924]

An amazing fake, for sure. There was so much work and thought put into faking the item that it almost seems worth it anyway!

Rauville....great story. Did you "expose" this joker?

[mart]

Rauville....great story. Did you "expose" this joker?

Yes !!  I want to know too !!  Or is it still floating around somewhere ??

[SophieMarie]

Rauville,

Hello?  Where are you?  I want to know too!!!!

[KC]

You know Rauville has us all ears...and sitting back...letting us wonder..... 🤔😳

Wow jacon4!  What a story!  Shame he didn't work restoring and repairing fine pieces!

[Rauville]

..Rauville....great story. Did you "expose" this joker?

No, I've found that people want to believe, and it's best to let them continue. I just went on and made another whirligig. That one was Professor Halley riding on the tail of his Comet. (PS: If you find a strange piece of folk-art stamped: "42746"...beware.)

[Ipcress]

That’s just incredible ! Have the police been involved ?

However, it happens. Even if it’s just an item on a stall for £200 and the dealer knows it’s fresh off the boat.

[KC]

SO the question is...did he even get any of the whirligig story right?  Are you a reclusive craftsman?  🤔

[SophieMarie]

Why do I suddenly want to make a whirligig?  Rauville, I BELIEVE 

[jacon4]

"That’s just incredible ! Have the police been involved ?

However, it happens. Even if it’s just an item on a stall for £200 and the dealer knows it’s fresh off the boat."

No, i really doubt the police got involved, money was returned so no harm no foul! Still, this kind of thing happens a lot more than you think and at all levels which hurts the antiques trade in my view.

[KC]

Well, if you look everyday on Ebay and other online sites people put items are "antique" "vintage" "rare" etc and majority are not!  So, I do not doubt that intentional "faux" happens quite often while many on the sales/auctions sites are just not knowledgeable or misinformed.