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ID #SA976347
FOR SALE
£595
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American Whirligig Figure
For sale by The House of Antiques
for sale €696     $756
£595
The House of Antiques

The House of Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Nov 2022
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Id #SA976347
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American Whirligig Figure

1900 - 1920
Description

Early 20th Century American Double Sided Whirligig Figure

A brilliant example of early 20th Century American folk art. In the form of a hand carved wooden double sided whirligig figure. It would originally have had paddle arm and mounted to a base at one point. With very unusual carved facial features and naïve painted body. In our humble opinion this is a work of art and highly sculptural in its current form.

Size of inches approx.: H 16” x W 3.5” x D 3”

Completely solid in structure and form, with natural wear, loss of surface detail, the paint has worn away over years of being outside, missing its paddle arms, a lovely example in this form and highly sculptural.

The House of Antiques sells authentic decorative objects, we do not refurbish or repair items unless stated or unless completely necessary to the item’s stability or longevity. These objects are old so please expect wear and tear as some are over 100 years old and untouched in form.

Physical Dimensions
Height
40cm (15.75")
Width
9cm (3.54")
Depth
8.5cm (3.35")
Declaration

The House of Antiques has dated this American Folk Art Whirligig to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA976347
Dealers Internal Reference
American whirligig
Description
Early 20th Century American Double Sided Whirligig Figure

A brilliant example of early 20th Century American folk art. In the form of a hand carved wooden double sided whirligig figure. It would originally have had paddle arm and mounted to a base at one point. With very unusual carved facial features and naïve painted body. In our humble opinion this is a work of art and highly sculptural in its current form.

fig 1. A carved wooden whirligig figure featuring a stylized human head with a ribbed hat and geometric painted patterns along the lower torso.
fig 1. American Whirligig Figure

Size of inches approx.: H 16” x W 3.5” x D 3”

Completely solid in structure and form, with natural wear, loss of surface detail, the paint has worn away over years of being outside, missing its paddle arms, a lovely example in this form and highly sculptural.

“
The House of Antiques sells authentic decorative objects, we do not refurbish or repair items unless stated or unless completely necessary to the item’s stability or longevity.
The House of Antiques

These objects are old so please expect wear and tear as some are over 100 years old and untouched in form.

Height
40cm (15.75")
Width
9cm (3.54")
Depth
8.5cm (3.35")
Date of Manufacture

The House of Antiques has dated this American Folk Art Whirligig to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA976347
Dealers Internal Ref
American whirligig
The House of Antiques
The House of Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2022
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the The House of Antiques Profile Page

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A carved wooden whirligig figure featuring a stylized human head with a ribbed hat and geometric painted patterns along the lower torso.
1 / 9
Archive I A carved wooden whirligig figure featuring a stylized human head with a ribbed hat and geometric painted patterns along the lower torso.

American Whirligig Figure

Archive II A carved wooden whirligig figure featuring a stylized human head with a ribbed hat and geometric painted patterns along the lower torso. View II
Archive III A carved wooden whirligig figure featuring a stylized human head with a ribbed hat and geometric painted patterns along the lower torso. View III
Archive IV A carved wooden whirligig figure featuring a stylized human head with a ribbed hat and geometric painted patterns along the lower torso. View IV
Archive V A carved wooden whirligig figure featuring a stylized human head with a ribbed hat and geometric painted patterns along the lower torso. View V
Archive VI A carved wooden whirligig figure featuring a stylized human head with a ribbed hat and geometric painted patterns along the lower torso. View VI
Archive VII A carved wooden whirligig figure featuring a stylized human head with a ribbed hat and geometric painted patterns along the lower torso. View VII
Archive VIII A carved wooden whirligig figure featuring a stylized human head with a ribbed hat and geometric painted patterns along the lower torso. View VIII
Archive IX A carved wooden whirligig figure featuring a stylized human head with a ribbed hat and geometric painted patterns along the lower torso. View IX
Enlarged Archival View
The House of Antiques

The House of Antiques
Telephone 07568 151 752
Location
22 Goodmayes Lane
Ilford
Essex
IG3 9NZ
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/thehouseofantiques
Verified Since Nov 2022
Items For Sale 139
Items Sold 11
The House of Antiques
The House of Antiques
Verified Since Nov 2022
View Dealer Info
Location: 22 Goodmayes Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG3 9NZ, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/thehouseofantiques
Verified
Nov 2022
For Sale
139
Sold
11
A carved wooden whirligig figure featuring a stylized human head with a ribbed hat and geometric painted patterns along the lower torso.
American Whirligig Figure
Ref: SA976347
A carved wooden whirligig figure featuring a stylized human head with a ribbed hat and geometric painted patterns along the lower torso.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDecorative Sculptures
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleAmerican Folk Art
  • MaterialWood, Paint
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsHand-carved facial features, Ribbed hat detail, Geometric polychrome paint, Stylized torso
  • SizeH 40 cm (16 in) x W 9 cm (4 in) x D 8.5 cm (3 in)

This early 20th century American folk art object takes the form of a hand-carved wooden double-sided whirligig figure in a warm brown timber. The piece displays a ribbed hat detail on top, unusual hand-carved facial features, and a naïve painted body featuring geometric polychrome paint with red dots and black triangular motifs along the lower torso. The item is completely solid in structure and form, exhibiting natural wear, loss of surface detail, and paint worn away over years of exposure to the outside elements, alongside missing paddle arms. Measuring 40 cm high, 9 cm wide, and 8.5 cm deep, this sculptural sculpture stands as an authentic decorative object. In a contemporary home, this rustic farmhouse sculpture suits placement on a bookshelf as a display piece. The natural wood and aged polychrome finish integrate well into curated interior schemes focused on historical folk art and tactile materials. The solid timber construction retains its untouched form, showcasing authentic weathering patterns without modern repairs or alterations.

FAQs

An antique American whirligig is a hand-carved kinetic sculpture or wind vane feature that incorporates moving parts driven by the wind. Originally crafted as mechanical toys or weather vanes in the 18th and 19th centuries, they represent a celebrated tradition of North American folk art.

Most traditional whirligigs were hand-carved from soft woods such as pine, cedar, or basswood using basic hand tools. They were typically finished with lead-based or milk paint and featured iron wire, nails, or metal pivots for the moving components.

Authentic examples show genuine signs of outdoor weathering, such as paint loss, cracking along the wood grain, and oxidisation on metal fittings. Look for hand-hewn knife marks, original polychrome paint layers, and signs of functional wear around pivot holes rather than modern machine sanding.

Mount the figure on a minimalist metal or timber display stand to showcase it as a standalone sculptural artwork. Position it on a bookshelf, mantelpiece, or side table alongside neutral ceramics to allow the graphic, carved form to stand out.

Display the sculpture in a dry environment away from direct sunlight, central heating vents, and high humidity to prevent wood shrinkage or paint flaking. Dust gently using a soft, dry camel-hair brush, avoiding wet cleaning agents or harsh chemical polishes.
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