Unknown Wooden Sculpture

[yellowthumb]

My dad got this at a auction here in the US 15-20 years ago.

It's 100% solid wood and is carved very nicely. Not sure who the figure is but appears to be a hobo. Near the base someone etched in very very sloppy 1947, but it was done so bad that it cannot be from the original artist. I don't know anything about it, other than someone ruined it by scribbling in a year on it.

[bigwull]

I would,nt say its been ruined...what other way is there to sign a piece of wood...

[mart]

Anything on the bottom ??

[KC]

It is only part of it's character.  It could have been made by a parent and the child wanted to remember the year....It could also be a big plus to the value$$$.

It is a wonderful piece!!!!

I used to see things "less than perfect" as flawed...but in dealing with antiques/vintage items....it is the acquired character marks and endurance over the many years of an item, that give it it's value!

[yellowthumb]

Anything on the bottom ??

Nope, nothing on the bottom.

[mart]

Would be near impossible to determine the maker without something written on it !!  Other than the subject matter,, there is nothing about the style that stands out !! That date was probably the date it was acquired or given as a gift and the person just scratched the date in to remember the year it was received !!  Best thing is to watch ebay for similar wood carvings,, someone may still have a sticker/label on one !!

[yellowthumb]

I was hoping the style of the carving and attire of the figure might suggest the time period it was made and where. And from that I might be able to research it some more.

[mart]

Not really because anyone can carve a figure in whatever attire they want !! Could have just as easily been carved yesterday as 50 years ago !!

[yellowthumb]

true, i did some more searching and it seems as if wood carvings of beggars is kind of popular, the price range varies though

[KC]

Can you please tell us the dimensions of the piece?  What area of the US was this from?  Thanks!

[bigwull]

The more i look at this figure...the more it reminds me of ..Black Forest Carving..the wood resembles limewood...here,s a pic of a Black Forest Figure...but you can see the resemblance...I think this is the area where you should concentrate your search

[Rauville]

Funny, while Bigwull sees Black Forest, I see a postwar Japanese folk carving?
Regardless of origin, I would guess that this was picked up by a member of the US occupational forces, back in 1947.

[KC]

I would say he represents a worker of the late 1800's to early 1900's.  He is carrying food and ?  You will see many pictures of men done from that time period.

Example:  here is one from Portugal that is in the Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museums


The hat style/foods are trying to tell us something.  Also, isn't that a headwrap under the hat?

Could you please post a pic of this back and what he is carrying?  Still need dimensions.

[bigwull]

Funny, while Bigwull sees Black Forest, I see a postwar Japanese folk carving?
Regardless of origin, I would guess that this was picked up by a member of the US occupational forces, back in 1947.

all i see here is ZZ Top...

[KC]

Thanks alot Wullie...now I see Billy Gibbons for sure!  LOL